Archive for the ‘Green issues’ Category
Environmental campaigners were ejected from four UK airports yesterday as they protested against what they call the ‘binge-flying’ culture which they claim affects the climate. Dressed as stewards and stewardesses, Greenpeace activists set up fake check-in desks at London City airport, Manchester airport, Newcastle airport and Edinburgh airport and offered free return train tickets to passengers. Speaking of the stunts, Greenpeace director John Sauven said the aim was to give people the chance to make a climate-friendly train journey on their return. Flybe has become the first airline to introduce eco-labelling on all flights. The labelling, which is divided into three categories: local environment, journey environment and passenger environment, will explain in a detailed but user-friendly way the fuel consumption, carbon emissions, noise ratings, minimum leg room and number of seats of their aircraft. The eco-labelling scheme will allow passengers to assess the environmental impact of their journey and decide whether they want to carbon-offset that journey. Commenting on the launch of the eco-labelling scheme, Jim French, Flybe Chief Executive and Chairman said: ‘Flybe acknowledge that human activity, including air travel, is contributing to global climate change. Flybe acknowledges and takes seriously its responsibility to reduce the carbon emissions produced by our aircraft and this we are seeking to do, through the purchase of the most environmentally sensitive aircraft, deployment of the right size aircraft on the right routes, and through constant improvements in our operational processes ‘With today’s launch of the ecolabel, we take up the challenge to make Flybe as environmentally sensitive as possible and to help bring pressure across the industry to reduce emissions by improving standards. ‘Our ecolabel initiative is designed to help consumers identify which type of aircraft or which type of route is the most sensitive choice to the environment. We believe that through the provision of information to consumers they will exercise choice i.e. we need to make this journey and I know my choice has the least impact on my neighbourhood and the environment. ‘Through this we hope the market will encourage airlines to invest in new aircraft which are designed for the 21st century and find the balance between both the economic needs of the business with the environmental needs of society.’ Flybe information: 83% of Flybe’s flights are UK domestic Some of the airports Flybe operate from: Virgin Atlantic announced yesterday that as part of its partnership with Boeing it is ordering 15 787-9 Dreamliners with an option to order another 8 and purchase rights on a further 20 aircraft. The 787-9 Dreamlliner burns around 27% less fuel per passenger than the A340-300 – the aircraft it is due to replace. Virgin is due to take delivery of its new planes in 2011. The Dreamliner’s innovative design – more than half of the aircraft is built from composite materials – helps to reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions and the noise footprint of the 787-9 is 60% lower than the A340-300. As part of its search for greater fuel efficiency, Virgin Atlantic also announced it would hold a joint biofuel demonstration, with Boeing, Virgin Fuels and engine maker GE Aviation, on one of its aircraft during 2008. The demonstration, using a Boeing 747-400, will be the first by a commercial airline aiming to develop sustainable fuel sources suitable for commercial jet engines and the aviation industry. Trials to find alternatives to traditional taxiing procedures have also been conducted by Boeing and Virgin in an attempt to cut aircraft emissions on the ground, as well as in the air. These trials at Gatwick and Heathrow airports have produced significant results. |
