The world’s largest international airline, Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, declared on Thursday that it had dedicated $200 million to fund research and development projects which focused on decreasing the effect of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.
This is the single affirmation by any airline on sustainability, with the funds to be paid in 3 years.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines, stated, ” We are ring-fencing $200 million to invest in advanced fuel and energy solutions for aviation, which is why the airlines face the biggest barrier in reducing our environmental effect”.
He further stated, ” We looked long at the reality we face in commercial aircraft and engine technology, fuel supply chain, and our industry’s eco-system and regulatory requirements. Obviously, with the present ways available to airlines in the form of emission reductions, our industry will not be able to hit net zero targets in the desired timeline.”
Sir Tim added, “Until feasible solutions can be found, Emirates will continue implementing environmentally responsible practices throughout our business, including SAF where feasible, efficient fleet operations, and inducting modern aircraft into our fleet. Our US$ 200 million fund is marked for R&D, not for functioning costs like the purchase of SAF or carbon offsets to tick regulatory boxes and activities that we consider business-as-usual”.
Emissions reduction initiatives at Emirates
The long-standing environmental policy and strategy of the Enidates focus on the 3 areas, emissions, reduction, responsible consumption, and the conservation of wildlife and habitats.
Emirates completed the first 100% SATA-powered demonstration flight with Boeing and GE in January. As it is the first flight powered by SAF in 2017, the airline continues to partake actively in the SAF market and strives for opportunities in its network to use SAF wherever it finds feasible.
In recent months, the airline contributed to developing the UAE’s power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels roadmap, launched in July 2022 and prepared jointly by the Ministry Of Energy and Infrastructure and the World.
Economic Forum and the UAE’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap started in January 2023 by the Ministry Of Energy and Infrastructure.
Besides, the airline currently has 200 of the latest Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft on order, including A35os and 777Xs
The airline also has an extensive fuel efficiency program that actively investigates ways to decrease unnecessary fuel burn and emissions. The most important initiatives of the program include:
- The operation of flexible routings where it allies with air navigation service providers to make the most efficient flight plan for each flight while taking benefit of natural tailwinds and avoiding headwinds and weather systems. These attempts have been ongoing since 2003, and Emirates has been working with IATA to extend this routing system globally as a standard operating procedure where possible.
- It includes introducing fuel-efficient methods when aircraft are on the ground, like using proud power units instead of the aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and shifting one or two engines off while taxiing after landing.
