Air France claims lowest CO2 flight with more chip fat fuel

Posted 26/10/2011

World first involved Eco-piloting and flight procedure optimization

In a world first, Air France’s 1h20mins flight AF6129 on 13th October 2011 from Toulouse-Blagnac to Paris-Orly has completed the world’s lowest CO2 emissions flight. To achieve this feat, Air France did everything possible to reduce noise hindrance and greenhouse gas emissions:
Including:

This commercial flight is part of Company programme to contribute to the fight against climate change encapsulating Air France initiatives in the sustainable development sphere.

Air France says that his fully-optimized flight shows that the Company intends to reconcile the development of air transport with control over its CO2 emissions. “Air  France’s  determination  to conduct  its  business  operations  in  a  sustainable, responsible  manner  is  central  to  the  corporate  plan,  which  emphasizes  its  societal responsibility and commitment to stakeholders. “
Use of a 50% mix of sustainable biofuel

By using a mix of conventional kerosene and biokerosene made from hydrogenated used vegetable oils, Air France flight AF6129 acted directly on the main source of aircraft CO2 emissions. Emissions on this flight amounted to 54g of CO2 per passenger-km – half that emitted on a conventional flight.

The biofuel used constitutes a renewable, sustainable energy source which has none of the environmental or social impacts linked to the use of agricultural biomass: made from used vegetable oil, this type of biofuel does not compete with the food chain nor does it deplete water resources.

The use of this type of sustainable biofuel was recognized by the American Society for Testing Material (ASTM), a standards organization that drafts and publishes technical standards, in summer 2011.
Eco-piloting and flight procedure optimization

To reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions at the same time as they guarantee flight safety, Air France’s pilots, in conjunction with air traffic control, applied the most fuel-efficient procedures in each flight phase. In all, some 11,000 metric tons of CO2 would be saved if all La Navette shuttle flights were able to apply these eco-piloting flight procedures.

Ground procedures:

In-flight procedures:

Reduced on-board mass

Continuous improvements to the Air France fleet

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE
 

Originally published 26 Oct 2011 at: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/398/f/5923/s/198face6/l/0L0Stravelmole0N0Cstories0C11499540Bphp0Dmpnlog0F1/story01.htm