One of the main airlines operating out of Faro Airport has been developing new fuel-saving initiatives to reduce its emissions. According to Wizz Air, the plans are part of its continued commitment to cut carbon emissions by a further 33 per cent by 2030.
In addition to 25 fuel-saving initiatives implemented in recent years, the airline says it is focusing on new solutions such as developing a model for estimating zero fuel weight, removal of unnecessary extra fuel thanks to optimisations in the flight planning system, and the introduction of more precise performance factors for a higher accuracy in fuel burn prediction.
“Further operational optimisations in flap configuration will also be an ongoing focal point, with Wizz Air currently being an industry frontrunner in the use of reduced flaps for landing.”
Wizz Air has introduced recommendations to pilots to encourage the use of reduced flap configurations for both take-off and landing, “which has been shown to result in considerable savings in fuel consumption… Statistics on reduced flap landings are promising, with an estimated 2,000 tonnes of fuel saved, eliminating approximately 6,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from the air.”
Announcing the fuel-saving initiatives, chief operations officer Heiko Holm said, “We are proud to have the lowest CO2 emissions per passenger/kilometre amongst European airlines, and are committed to reducing our environmental footprint further.
“Every take-off and landing is an opportunity to save fuel, every flight phase is being reviewed for the smallest optimisation, the impact it has on carbon emissions is significant. Together with our modern fleet and maximisation of passenger load factor, we are ensuring that Wizz, the greenest airline in Europe, is the best choice passengers can make when they fly.”
Offsetting Passenger Travel Footprints
In a separate announcement this month, Wizz Air launched a carbon offsetting scheme as part of its wider commitment to reducing emissions. The scheme, in partnership with climate-focused technology company CHOOSE, “provides passengers with the option to offset their journey by supporting trusted, high-impact climate projects around the world”.
To account for their carbon emissions, passengers make a payment supporting a verified carbon offset and receive a certificate in return, recognising the emissions they have offset. Wizz Air is initially supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects: The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST) in Uganda, a long-standing reforestation project; and the Pichacay Landfill Gas to Renewable Energy Project in Ecuador, which recovers and re-purposes landfill methane to produce clean electricity.
“We strive to be the greenest airline of choice,” said chief corporate office Marion Geoffroy, “as we work hard on continuously decreasing our environmental footprint. Through a wide range of sustainability initiatives, we are proud to already have one of the lowest emission rates in the European aviation industry and are delighted to be working with CHOOOSE to provide carbon offsetting to our passengers.”
In other Wizz Air news, related to COVID-19’s disruption of many people’s travel plans, the airline has launched a Travel Planning Map, “a new and continuously updated website search tool designed to help passengers determine which destinations in the Wizz network they can fly to at that precise moment in time and helpfully inform them of coronavirus-related travel restrictions in place”.
Click here for up-to-date airline and flights information at Faro Airport.