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British consumers believe more airlines are taking the threat of climate change seriously
Virgin America signed onto The Climate Registry
AirTran Airways is trialing what it terms a "green" gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
LAN Airlines launched its first services with 767-300ERs equipped with winglets
Etihad Airways signed up with Masdar
Not too late for Eco-Aviation

By Geoffrey Thomas
Eco-Aviation Today, May 18, 2009, p.7

British consumers believe more airlines are taking the threat of climate change seriously, but a majority thinks carriers need to do more, reports a recent UK survey conducted by Good Business for Times Online. According to the survey, 60% of consumers do not think the industry takes the environmental impact of flying seriously and 37% believe that airlines are responsible for addressing the environmental impact of flying, ahead of government at 20% and aircraft makers at 19%. Respondents (57%) felt that Virgin Atlantic was doing the best environmental job while LCCs did not get high marks, with the perception that they are slow to address climate issues.

Other findings were:

Virgin America signed onto The Climate Registry, a nonprofit organization that sets standards to calculate, verify and report greenhouse gas emissions. The carrier will report emissions data on an annual basis as it measures and manages its emissions and CO2 reduction goals. Its move to report emissions voluntarily comes as legislators and the Environmental Protection Agency solicit public input about mandatory GHG emissions reporting policies.

AirTran Airways is trialing what it terms a "green" gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. It has partnered with Marietta-based Tug Technologies for a test run of Tug's prototype battery-powered, 20-ton pushback baggage tractor and bag loader. The vehicles, which are quick to recharge, are expected to have lower lifetime maintenance costs and are comparable in price to fossil fuel-driven alternatives. The equipment is virtually the same as its conventional counterparts and shares 90% of the parts. AirTran ground support supervisor Darrell Haley says 77% of the airline's GSE fleet could be replaced by electric vehicles at its 36 gates.

LAN Airlines launched its first services with 767-300ERs equipped with winglets. The Chilean carrier claimed that in its operations the winglets will save 5% in fuel burn and thus emissions. It will equip all of its 37 passenger and freighter 767s.

Etihad Airways signed up with Masdar, a government company charged with advancing the development, commercialization and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies, to cooperate across a range of activities to reduce the airline's carbon footprint through sustainable and energy efficient measures. Under the agreement, Masdar will work with Etihad to support implementation of the environmental initiatives, in particular in relation to carbon and waste management, and to ensure Etihad's compliance with the EU ETS.

Not too late for Eco-Aviation

It's not too late to sign up for the ATW-Leeham Co. Eco Aviation Conference to be held at the Marriott Metro Center in Washington May 26-28.

The conference brings together the leading authorities on the science, regulation and operational challenges of eco-aviation. Key topics on the agenda are:

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