ATR and partners have been working together to deliver what normally is a typical day to day flight between Halmstad City airport to Stockholm Bromma airport into a “Perfect Flight’” that focuses on reducing carbon emissions.
Braathens Regional Airlines ATR 72-600, Image, ATR
The “perfect flight” brought together ATR Aircaft, Braathens Regional Airlines, Air BP and Neste to optimise the entire flight management process on a regional flight to keep carbon emissions to a minimum
It utilised a Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA) ATR 72-600, with sustainable fuel produced by Neste, and supplied by Air BP.
According to ATR:
… the ATR 72-600 has an environmental advantage, in that it produces 40 percent fewer carbon emissions per trip compared with regional jets, saving 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per aircraft per year. ATRs can also take off and land where other aircraft cannot ensuring accessibility to all airfields, including those that are the most challenging. This helps connect more communities and provides more opportunities for people, wherever they live.
The fuel produced by Neste and supplied by Air BP is claimed to 80 percent fewer emissions over its life-cycle compared with conventional jet fuel and is produced from non-palm renewable and sustainable raw materials.
In quotes
Tom Anderson – ATR Senior Vice President, Programs and Customer Services said
“Today, using existing technology and available solutions, we have pushed the boundaries even further. This great achievement wouldn’t have been possible without using an ATR aircraft, as our ATR 72-600 version uses 40 percent less fuel and emits 40 percent less CO2 than a regional jet. We are delighted to have taken up this challenge and demonstrate what is possible, which will hopefully set an example for other communities around the world”
Tom Parsons, Air BP Commercial Development Manager said
“At Air BP we are committed to working across the industry to meet our collective carbon reduction goals. Today has highlighted what is possible when we all work together and we are proud to have been the supplier of sustainable aviation fuel for this perfect flight. We will continue to look for ways to reduce emissions in our own operations and for our customers.”
Anna Soltorp – Head of Sustainability, BRA commented
“We want to continue to fly ‘perfectly’ in the future. To achieve this, it is important that we can access sustainable aviation fuel in sufficient quantities and at the right price. For that we need political initiatives. We intend to continue the development of sustainable flying to make every flight as close to perfect as we possibly can. As a society we need to take action to combat climate change and drastically reduce emissions, aviation must play its part in this. Today, we have demonstrated what can be achieved through more efficient flying without compromising connectivity. It is another positive step forwards.”
Andreas Teir, Neste’s Vice President in Renewable Transportation, Nordics commented:
“Aviation stakeholders in Sweden have adopted a proactive approach to show their commitment to reducing emissions from their operations by promoting the use of renewable jet fuel. Decarbonizing aviation calls for close cooperation between aviation stakeholders combined with a strong willingness to work collaboratively. We are proud of our partnership with Air BP in bringing sustainable jet fuel to Sweden, which sends a strong signal to the international aviation community also.”
Edging towards eco-flying and eco-goals
The aviation industry has been experimenting with sustainable fuels and methods of reducing carbon emissions – with varying degrees of succeeds. It’s a positive move to see that distinctly different parts of the aviation sector can come together to demonstrate what is possible.
Of course, the real challenge will be one of replicating this “perfect flight” on a day to day service – with the pressures and costs this could incur.
It’s also another call for the aviation sector as a whole – along with the suppliers to work to develop and deploy cleaner technologies out there – as well as for airlines to look at their fleets to see if they are ripe for renewal with more eco-friendly variants.
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