Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has been named Airline Ratings‘ Environmental Airline of the Year 2022. Etihad’s industry-leading strategy for enhancing aviation sustainability is recognized in this ranking. The UAE has been selected as the host country for COP 28 in 2023 by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The achievement of Etihad fully aligns with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s own commitment to accelerate global efforts to address climate change and environmental protection.
Etihad Airways recently released a Sustainability Report, which Airline Ratings deemed a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating how a wide range of initiatives can contribute to sustainable aviation. Creating operational efficiencies was at the center of Etihad’s sustainability initiatives. A comprehensive, cross-organizational aviation sustainability initiative was quickly developed by the airline by bringing together industry leaders. In its third year, this umbrella programme includes partnerships with Boeing, GE, Airbus, Rolls Royce, as well as collaborations with pioneering new-technology organisations, academic researchers, and small businesses.
Airline Ratings Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said “Etihad Airways has shown its clear leadership in the push for sustainable flight with its Greenliner Boeing 787 programme and this year with its Sustainability50, A350 aircraft. At every touchpoint, Etihad Airways staff and management are committed to reducing the airline’s CO2 footprint and it shows. The mantra at Etihad Airways is a million things count in reducing emissions and thus the focus is all-consuming.”
Mr Thomas added that “the airline’s Sustainability Report 2020-2021 demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives, coordinated to achieve a 20% reduction in emissions intensity in its passenger fleet by 2025, cut 2019 net emissions by 50% by 2035, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050.”
In addition to Greenliner, Etihad’s sustainability initiatives include Sustainable50, an A350-1000 launched earlier this year, and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner program. A number of research eco-flights conducted by the airline over the past three years have demonstrated that carbon emissions can be reduced by up to 72% on a single flight. Furthermore, Etihad has tested and implemented advanced technologies and operational efficiencies, including Jeppesen Flite Deck Advisor, SATAVIA contrail avoidance, GE Engine Foam Wash, eTech logs, and lightweight unit load devices in addition to its extensive testing and innovation programme.
With the Etihad Mangrove Forest project, the airline plans to establish carbon-absorbing forests in countries where it operates. Etihad’s Conscious Choices programme offers rewards for customers who take environmentally positive actions, such as offsetting their flights. This is part of an initiative to involve its guests and corporate clients. Scope 3 emissions can be reduced by accredited solutions for corporate clients.