Flying the greener, and cleaner, skies | Jovee Marie de la Cruz

Airline's Sustainability Campaign Highlights Shared Challenges For Regulators And Carriers

SEPANG, Malaysia—The worldwide endeavor to promote environmentally friendly transportation, be it on land, in the air, or at sea, is steadily gaining momentum and importance as the effects of climate change continue to worsen.

Deadlines must be adhered to, and individuals in the mobility sector are in a frenzy. AirAsia recently organized a Sustainability Day, focusing on the concept of "Achieving Greater Results with Limited Resources." This event signified AirAsia's advancement in promoting industry engagement and cultivating improved cooperation to achieve environmentally-friendly aviation.

Headed by Yap Mun Ching, the Chief Sustainability Officer of Capital A, the Sustainability Day showcased in-depth conversations on topics regarding AirAsia's journey towards reducing carbon emissions, along with the challenges and prospects of implementing these strategies.

“Today, we are gathering all the important people involved in our aviation industry – such as government officials, regulators, financial institutions, aviation experts, business partners, and media – to enhance their knowledge about the details of aviation sustainability. As we work on rebuilding our business after the pandemic, we are expanding and intensifying our commitment to sustainability by integrating strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices into our key goals. This will help us bounce back in a more resilient and improved manner,” she stated on Sustainability Day, which took place on June 27, 2023, at AirAsia's headquarters in Malaysia.

"Given that the aviation industry is challenging to reduce emissions in, it is crucial for everyone involved, not just airlines, to work together in achieving our target of achieving net zero by 2050. The constant reminders in the media about the urgency of taking action to address the environmental crisis highlight the need for immediate collaboration by all stakeholders in order to develop and implement solutions that can effectively decrease carbon emissions for airlines," she stated.

Yap stated that the aviation industry has faced intense examination regarding its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, and AirAsia is a notable example within this field.

She highlighted that in an industry that is bouncing back from the severe consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, any effort towards sustainability must align with the practical challenges of functioning with limited financial resources.

At AirAsia, we strive to enhance our strategy of maximizing productivity while minimizing resource usage and increasing effectiveness to eliminate any excess consumption. There are still many opportunities for improvement in operational efficiencies, flight route simplification, and reducing carbon emissions on the ground that all parties involved, including airlines, airports, ground handlers, and regulators, can contribute to.

YAP pointed out that the necessary technologies for achieving this are already available, and when put into practice, they not only save money but also reduce emissions.

"It's logical to address the easy tasks first while also experimenting with fresh approaches," she remarked.

During her discussion about AirAsia's net zero strategy, Yap stated that all airlines encounter four options to reduce carbon emissions. These include improving their aircraft fleet, intensifying the implementation of eco-friendly practices, transitioning to biofuels, and compensating for any remaining emissions.

Yap stated that AirAsia's main focus is on increasing the use of the A321neo, which is widely recognized as the most eco-friendly airplane currently available. Additionally, AirAsia aims to enhance and expand its already leading fuel-efficiency program.

Before we consider whether we should utilize fossil fuels or biofuels, it is essential to determine if we are using them excessively. AirAsia's initiative to enhance fuel efficiency is truly remarkable and arguably unrivaled globally. As we delve into new possibilities, we must not forget our outstanding ability that has paved the way for us to achieve extremely low costs and emissions per seat within the industry," stated Yap.

At the moment, AIRASIA has placed a purchase for 362 brand-new A321neo planes, which are set to arrive gradually from 2024 to 2035.

The Airbus A321neo, which can accommodate 240 passengers in a single class, emits 24 percent fewer carbon emissions per seat than the older A320 model. Additionally, it releases 50 percent less nitrogen oxide and generates less noise. The A321neo is the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft of its kind currently available in the market.

Yap stated that by having a fleet of younger and more environmentally friendly planes, they can decrease the amount of carbon emissions produced. Additionally, this will enable them to increase their capacity at crowded airports without needing to schedule more flights. Moreover, it will also assist them in maintaining their competitive advantage if other airports and cities implement penalties for airlines that operate older aircraft models.

Additionally, Yap stated that carbon offsetting constitutes one of the four avenues in AirAsia's approach to reducing carbon emissions.

As part of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, airlines are restricted to compensating for their carbon emissions solely through the use of top-notch offsets that have been officially recognized by an approved emissions unit program.

"At the beginning of our quest towards achieving net zero, we anticipate that carbon offsetting will play a major role in reducing emissions. However, as we progress and find more viable solutions within our sector, the reliance on carbon offsetting will gradually decrease," Yap remarked.

According to Jonathan Sanjay, a Senior Manager at AirAsia specializing in flight operations projects, development, and efficiency, the airline has successfully reduced its fuel consumption and thus managed to save more than $130 million since 2015. This initiative has not only resulted in monetary savings but has also prevented the release of significant amounts of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

AirAsia is also considering alternatives to incorporate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel combination prior to 2025.

Christoph Behrendt-Rieken, the main specialist in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) at the project EU-SEA Cooperation on Mitigating Climate Change Impact from Civil Aviation (EU-SEA CCCA CORSIA) managed by the EU Aviation Safety Agency, along with Teo Hui Ling, an expert in aviation law and a partner at Reed Smith LLP, also provided valuable comments on the involvement of different parties in promoting the use of biofuels in aviation.

Expensive Eco-friendly Jet Fuel

In addition, Yap mentioned that the primary factor causing an airline's environmental impact is the release of emissions resulting from the usage of jet fuel while flying.

According to the AirAsia representative, in order to reduce carbon emissions, the aviation sector must shift towards utilizing alternative energy sources.

As sustainable aviation fuels are being created, she mentioned that they provide airlines with another option to consider in the near to medium future, amidst the development of zero-emission technologies.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) possess qualities akin to regular jet fuel, yet leave a lesser ecological impact. Based on the feedstock and production techniques employed, SAF can potentially curtail greenhouse gas emissions throughout its life cycle by up to 80% in comparison to conventional jet fuel.

Despite being accessible, Yap stated that SAF currently has a price that ranges from two to five times higher than that of traditional jet fuel. This aspect of affordability plays a crucial role in the decision-making process for airlines looking to integrate biofuel into their fuel combinations.

Nevertheless, with the increasing commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), AirAsia is actively considering the possibility of implementing SAF prior to 2025, according to her statement.

Additionally, Yap mentioned that AirAsia is adopting eco-friendly protocols, or measures to increase environmental efficiency. These protocols enable pilots to minimize fuel consumption during various phases of a journey.

Some of the techniques to improve aircraft landing and navigation procedures are: landing with smaller wing flaps, using reverse thrust minimally, using just one engine for taxiing, and implementing Required Navigation Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) methods.

She mentioned that every AirAsia pilot is equipped with the necessary skills to follow eco-friendly operational practices as the norm.

"Our team for maximizing fuel economy consistently monitors the execution of more than 20 eco-friendly techniques by all pilots, guaranteeing that we reduce fuel consumption and minimize carbon emissions. This commitment to efficiency has allowed us to establish ourselves as the most environmentally sustainable airline in Asia," she stated.

AirAsia showcased its ability to gain a competitive advantage over the past two decades by leveraging the concepts of diversity, equality, and inclusion. This was demonstrated through Asia Digital Engineering's innovative projects aimed at revolutionizing aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul using digitization.

In partnership with the occasion, AirAsia also introduced its Aviation Sustainability Handbook, a manual containing terms related to sustainable practices in the aviation industry.

Challenges Await: Naia Traffic & More

Yap noticed the overcrowding at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in the Philippines.

“The airport situation in the Philippines poses a unique problem—Manila, in particular, faces severe congestion issues. Consequently, a significant amount of fuel is wasted as planes are forced to circle above Manila, awaiting landing clearance. Unless there is a substantial transformation, these obstructive bottlenecks will persist. Perhaps you are aware of potential plans to expand the airport,” she expressed.

Yap also mentioned that if the aviation sector of the Philippines wants to remain competitive, it is crucial for the nation to collectively address various factors that impact the industry. Otherwise, travelers will inevitably face increased costs for their air transportation.

Yap suggests that it is essential for all countries, including the Philippines, to collaborate in order to mitigate the main factors contributing to climate change.

During an interview with journalists from the Philippines who were present at the event, she expressed that your nation is highly prone to the effects of climate change. The increased occurrence of typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions poses significant risks for every airline operating in your country. Therefore, it is crucial for us to collaborate and take collective actions to mitigate these risks.