Scandinavian Airlines is showing other airlines the environmental and financial benefits of 'green flights' which, in essence, are smooth continuous descents to airports at relatively low engine revs. SAS, which has carried out over 2,000 such green landings, says that for a mid-size aircraft such as a Boeing 737, fuel savings are over 100 kg of fuel per flight which equates to 315 kg less carbon emitted per flight. The savings are bigger on larger aircraft.
The airline has a system-wide goal of reducing carbon emissions by 50% per seat kilometre by 2020. It believes airlines have a responsibility to optimise resources. SAS intends to have the most ambitious long-term environmental program in the airline industry. Green flights, especially the landing part, are essential to that objective.
Green landings depend on flight controllers and pilots fully adhering to schedules. If planes have to circle airports waiting for permission to land, savings are squandered. "For green flights to work properly, flight routes have to be more direct and airspace approaches efficiently structured," says Mr Hakan Olsson, SAS's Bangkok-based Director and General Manager for Southeast Asia.
SAS, the 15th largest airline in the world based on passenger numbers, admits that reducing carbon emissions and costs is a complex process. No airline can effectively do it alone. In November last year SAS issued a policy document called "Ten Points for Climate-Friendly Aviation". The document, is now the basis of SAS's environmental policy. It asks airlines, governments, airports, passengers and supporting modes of transport to implement change.
The ten-point plan calls for financial incentives, the international harmonization of rules, a more efficient use of airspace, better public transport to and from airports, further investment into technology and alternative fuels, and reliable independent certification of organizations which aim to help travellers who only want to make carbon-neutral trips.
"Scandinavian Airlines is taking a lead role the best we can," says Mr Olsson. "We want to share our knowledge with other airlines all round the world. But many organizations have to collaborate for green flight savings to work properly."
The airline's Board believes that if it can introduce the green approach concept around the world the fuel and environmental savings could be enormous.
Every minute of flying time knocked off a journey saves 62 litres of fuel. This is equivalent to 160 kilograms of C02 emissions
SAS estimates that on large-bodied longhaul aircraft, savings of up to 450 kgs of emissions per flight are possible. In December, Scandinavian Airlines carried out the first trans-Atlantic green approach with an Airbus A330 between New York (Newark) and Stockholm. SAS has since continued to test green approaches on trans-Atlantic flights from Chicago and New York to Stockholm, arriving on off-peak slots at weekends.
Assuming an optimized air traffic management system, SAS would conduct smooth continuous descent approaches on all its long-haul flights. This would save an estimated 492 kg of fuel and 1,550 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) would be saved per flight. (The burning of 1 kg of fuel creates 3.15kg of CO2.)
In addition, SAS offers passengers an offset programme to neutralize the affects of air travel. Passengers can estimate their CO2 footprint with SAS carbon calculator.
Note for Editors:
Please click the following links for a green flight graphic image in PDF and for a SAS environment platform summary.
To download SAS International's media kit, high-res images and for the latest press releases, please visit: http://www.flysas.com/en/th/Press-center/60938/
For further information, please contact
Supakanda Tongboonrawd, Sales and Marketing Executive, Scandinavian Airlines International; Phone: +66 2645 8221; E-mail:
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Scandinavian Airlines International
Scandinavian Airlines International is the long-haul operator of SAS with 1.4 million passengers per year. The fleet consists of Airbus A330s and A340s, serving 10 destinations: New York, Chicago, Washington, Seattle, Bangkok, Beijing, Tokyo, Dubai, Copenhagen and Stockholm. In 2008, SAS International will launch flights to Delhi and San Francisco. The company is also responsible for the SAS Group's sales and market activities in EMEA, Asia Pacific and North America.
Scandinavian Airlines is the Northern Europe's largest airline focusing on services, reliability, and simplicity. We fly six weekly flights from Bangkok to Copenhagen. Our extensive network provides convenient connections to Scandinavian and European destinations from Copenhagen airport.
Onboard SAS' modern and spacious Airbus A340s, there are a number of specific features, for example, personal entertainment screens across all classes. SAS is also one of few airlines to offer a premium economy product, Economy Extra. In a separate cabin, Economy Extra passengers enjoy wider and more comfortable seats than in Economy, extended meal services, Business class check-in and priority boarding. SAS Business Sleeper offers the highest levels of comfort with lie-flat seats, the popular buffet bar with drinks, snacks and espresso machine, and a spacious restroom with feature windows.
SAS has introduced a new fare structure offering simplicity, flexibility and better value for money. New lower-priced Fixed tickets reward early bookings. Flexible tickets can be either changed or refunded at a cost. And Fully Flexible tickets offer passengers tickets with no restrictions. Best of all, we offer full combinability -- the possibility to mix the three service classes and the three fare types of your choice.
Background
SAS is a consortium of the national airlines of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The SAS Group comprises a number of businesses. More than 40 million passengers flew with the SAS group airlines -- Scandinavian Airlines, airBaltic, Blue 1, Spanair and Wideroe during the year to July 2007.
Operations to Bangkok were commenced in 1949. In 1959, SAS co-founded Thai Airways International Ltd., with the Thai Government through Airways Co., Ltd. (TAC) holding 70% shares and SAS 30%. SAS supplied aircraft, management and training to the Thais in order to build THAI into an international reputable airline. SAS's 30% shareholding was released back to Thai Government in 1977, but the close co-operation has continued. Both SAS and THAI are founding members of Star Alliance, comprising 20 international world-class airlines.
Number of Employees: 130 in Thailand
Year established in Thailand: 1949
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