Alaska Airlines is the most fuel-efficient carrier in the United States, according to a report released yesterday by the International Council on Clean Transportation, a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, D.C.
Alaska, along with its regional partner Horizon Air, led all 15 mainline U.S. carriers as the most fuel-efficient airline operating in the United States in 2010, outperforming the least fuel-efficient carrier by 26 percent.
The study employed methodology developed by a team of researchers at the Federal Aviation Administration's National Center of Excellence for Aviation Operations Research (NEXTOR) at the University of California, Berkeley, to evaluate fuel efficiency based on passenger miles between origin and destination as well as airports served and/or flight frequency. Researchers looked at fuel burned and identified inefficiencies, such as the use of older technology, circuitous routing and taxiing with two engines instead of one.
The fuel-consumption data came from annual reports by airlines to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
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"We have made significant investments in our fleet, technology and processes to improve our fuel performance,” said Keith Loveless, Alaska Air Group's executive vice president and general counsel. “These sustainability efforts also help us keep our costs down in order to provide better value for our customers.”
By improving its fuel efficiency in recent years, Alaska Airlines says it has reduced its carbon emissions by 30 percent (measured by flying one passenger one mile). This reduction was accomplished through a variety of measures — most notably by migrating to exclusively flying the Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400, the most fuel-efficient aircraft in their classes.
Alaska Airlines has also reported several other sustainability gains:
· Eco-friendly serviceware is used for in-flight meals and beverages. Horizon Air flight attendants also recycle 91 percent of all paper, plastic, aluminum and glass generated onboard while Alaska cabin crews divert 80 percent of recyclable materials.
· First-of-their-kind solar-powered boarding ramps are being used in Seattle and San Jose, Calif. This project enables passengers to enter and exit an aircraft faster by using the front and rear doors simultaneously.
· Worked with the FAA and Port of Seattle to implement new arrival routes at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport using satellite-based navigation rather than ground-based radar. The shorter routes, which became operational last spring, save fuel, lower carbon emissions and noise, and reduce pilot-controller workloads.
· Installed the first airport wind-turbine solar panel in Nome, Alaska.
· In August 2013, Alaska became the first airline to sign an agreement with Hawaii BioEnergy LLC to purchase sustainable biofuel for its Hawaii flights.
· Operated 75 passenger flights powered by a 20 percent biofuel blend in November 2011. The biofuel project grew out of Alaska Air Group's involvement in Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest, the first U.S. regional group of its kind to study alternative aviation fuels.
In April, the USDA announced a five-year extension to its agreement to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing and other partners to help develop a viable biofuel for the aviation industry. The renewed program focuses on future goals — such as designating personnel, evaluating current and potential feedstock types and systems, developing multiple feedstock supply chains, developing state and local public-private teams, communicating results and issuing periodic reports.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Sep 11, 2013 12am EDT / 9pm PDT / 5am BST / 6am CEST