More airlines strive to reduce carbon footprint [News]

The world’s airlines have committed to achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020 and globally, airlines are looking to implement new initiatives and incentives to keep up with industry and reduce their carbon footprint.

German airline Lufthansa said it has been reporting its environmental initiatives since 1994, and is looking to take things to the next level to be a driver of change.

For example, the airline will be undertaking the largest investment program in its corporate history to advance its fleet.

Frank Puttmann, Head of Corporate Communications (Asia-Pacific) with Lufthansa, said: “An investment to a modern and technologically advanced fleet is (not just) very good for the cash box first of all, but also for the environment (as well), and that is also the reason we are running the largest investment program in our corporate history ever. Read more

Lufthansa’s Biofuel Trial On Commercial Flights

German flag-carrier Lufthansa is set to become the world’s first airline to use biofuel for an Airbus A321 on scheduled commercial flights on the Hamburg-Frankfurt route. One of the aircraft’s engines will use a 50-50 mix of biofuel and traditional kerosene. The major constituents of the biofuel are RSPO-certified palmoil, rapeseed and animal fats. The six-month trial, due to start in late 2011, will examine the effects of biofuel on engine maintenance and engine life, and determine the feasibility of regular flight operations using biofuel. For the duration of the trial, Lufthansa estimates it will save 1,500 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

According to a study by the World Resource Institute in 2005, the aviation industry is currently responsible for only 1.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, Lufthansa aims to act accordingly with its Pure Sky initiative. Pure Sky covers all of Lufthansa’s important measures and activities concerning the technical exploration, research and use of renewable energy in aviation. Read more