Aviation Sustainability and the Environment, CAPA 19-Aug-2021

This CAPA report features a summary of recent aviation sustainability and environment news, selected from the 300+ news alerts published daily by CAPA. For more information, please contact us.

Boeing and Alaska Airlines trialling Inmarsat Iris air traffic modernisation solution

Boeing and Alaska Airlines commenced (18-Aug-2021) flight trials for new components of Inmarsat's Iris air traffic modernisation solution.

The solution, powered by the Inmarsat ELERA satellite network, is being trialled onboard Boeing 2021 ecoDemonstrator 737 MAX 9 aircraft. [more - original PR]

Inmarsat senior vice president of aircraft operations and safety services John Broughton stated: "Inmarsat's Iris programme is a great example of the vast benefits a digitised aviation industry will offer. By modernising air traffic management, there is significant potential to drive environmental efficiencies and cut aviation's carbon emissions".

Original report: Boeing and Alaska Airlines commence flight trials for key new components of Inmarsat's Iris air traffic modernisation programme

-Ground-breaking solution, powered by the Inmarsat ELERA satellite network, is being trialled outside Europe for the first time as part of Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme

-Important milestone in the global rollout of Iris, which delivers powerful benefits to the aviation industry, such as reductions in fuel usage, environmental impact and flight delays

Inmarsat's Iris air traffic modernisation solution is being evaluated onboard the Boeing 2021 ecoDemonstrator 737-9 aircraft, in partnership with Alaska Airlines.

Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, has announced its participation in this year's Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme. The global initiative, which aims to enhance the sustainability and safety of air travel by testing the world's most promising technologies, has commenced the first flight trials for important new components of Inmarsat's Iris air traffic modernisation solution.

Powered by the Inmarsat ELERA global satellite network, Iris enables real-time collaboration between pilots, air traffic controllers and an airline's operation centre using cost-effective, secure and highly resilient datalink communications. As a result, they can calculate the shortest available routes, determine flight trajectories and cruise at optimum altitudes, while also receiving the latest digital information, such as weather updates. This not only improves airspace usage to accommodate future growth, but also allows airlines to minimise delays, save fuel and reduce the environment impact of their operations.

Iris capabilities have been enhanced recently with the introduction of next-generation ATN/IPS (Aeronautical Telecommunication Network using Internet Protocol Suite) satellite communications, which are currently being finalised as the global standard for air traffic control communications to and from the aircraft. This technology is being trialled for the first time as part of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flights, marking an important step forward in Iris' global rollout and unlocking significant benefits in service scalability, bandwidth and throughput for Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airspace users.

John Broughton, Inmarsat's Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations and Safety Services, said: "Inmarsat's Iris programme is a great example of the vast benefits a digitised aviation industry will offer. By modernising air traffic management, there is significant potential to drive environmental efficiencies and cut aviation's carbon emissions. We're proud to be involved in this future-facing research and look forward to working closely with other members of the Boeing ecoDemonstrator programme to enable a more sustainable future of flying."

Iris is currently being assessed for air traffic control and operational communications on flights across America operated on Boeing's 2021 ecoDemonstrator 737-9 aircraft, in partnership with Alaska Airlines. The flights utilise equipment, terminals and routers from Iris partners including Honeywell and Cobham.

Rae Lutters, ecoDemonstrator Programme Manager at Boeing, said: "We're excited to be partnering with Inmarsat in our ecoDemonstrator programme this year. We selected the Iris solution for testing, as it is closely aligned to our own commitment to reduce the environmental impact of modern aircraft. We are looking forward to evaluating Iris in a live flying environment and exploring the real-life impact such innovative technology could have when implemented on a global scale."

The Iris programme, which has been developed by Inmarsat in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), is expected to rollout in Europe by 2023 and then on a global basis over the next decade.

Elodie Viau, ESA Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, said: "The Iris programme is enabling aviation to become fully digital while reducing its carbon emissions. Passengers will be able to travel faster through less congested airports due to improved scheduling. We are excited to see Iris in action, proving that investment in space benefits the aviation industry and passengers."

Etihad Airways launches carbon offset partnership with CarbonClick

New Zealand's CarbonClick launched (19-Aug-2021) a partnership with Etihad Airways allowing travellers to offset individual carbon emissions as part of the carrier's Greenliner programme.

Etihad Airways head of sustainability Mariam AlQubaisi said the initiative supports Etihad's foremost long term objective of achieving net zero emissions, adding: "We have committed to purchasing carbon offsets to completely neutralise the CO2 emissions of our flagship 'Greenliner' 787-10 aircraft for a full year of operations in 2021, and it is important to be able to offer that same capability to our guests". [more - original PR]

Original report: AIRPORT PARTNERSHIPS TICKET TO CLIMATE-FRIENDLY TRAVEL

News Release. Auckland, New Zealand. August 2021. Enviro-tech company CarbonClick this month announces two new airport partnerships in its mission toward reducing the impact of air travel and effecting positive change in the fight against climate change. CarbonClick is working with leading airports around the world to enable travellers to balance the carbon footprint of their flights.

Ljubljana Airport in Slovenija, operated by Fraport Slovenija, now offers travellers the opportunity to calculate and offset their flight emissions. The airport's move marks another offering from Europe's most sustainable country, which describes "sustainability as being part of the local DNA."

This month CarbonClick also celebrates its partnership with Galapagos Ecological Airport, Galapagos Islands. Serving one of the most fragile and ecologically significant destinations on the planet, this makes it a highly symbolic airport to implement an offset programme. Already acclaimed as the world's first green airport, built from recycled materials and running on almost 100% renewable energy, a carbon offset programme adds to the continual evolution of a highly impactful sustainability programme.

CarbonClick CEO Dave Rouse says, "More than half of all travellers fly on airlines that don't offer a carbon offsetting programme and where they do, conversion rates are low. The role of airports is proving pivotal in the fight against climate change.

"Many airports are doing great things regarding their own emissions but when you look at a passenger's journey, over 95% of their emissions come from the flight. So, for airports who truly want to do more for the environment, this is an opportunity to tackle the impact of flying with a robust carbon offsetting programme that is fit for purpose and the planet."

Research points to trust and transparency as critical barriers to participation, beyond the actual existence of the opportunity to offset. Globally, travellers have a high sense of awareness and concern about the impact of air travel, particularly as passenger numbers start to return to pre- pandemic levels. Yet, the options to do something about it have to date been quite limited.

CarbonClick looks to address this imbalance with a highly transparent system that delivers a mix of high quality fully verified projects that carry both environmental and social benefits. Participants can delve deeply into the projects that their offsetting programme supports and track this impact as time goes on. Every project is carefully selected and aligned to a range of UN sustainable development goals, providing a very high level of trust and, with that, a greater willingness to participate.

Selected projects focus on supporting a mix of international and local projects that address the ecological impact of deforestation and enabling clean energy projects around the world.

CarbonClick works in partnership with airports to help select verified projects with meaning and benefit to the people and places it serves.

With further high-impact airport partnerships in the wings, CarbonClick is also working alongside priority airline partners to capture that first touch point for travellers. It is with great excitement that CarbonClick also welcomes the highly acclaimed Etihad Airways to its family of partners this month. Etihad is a forerunner in aviation sustainability, which it describes as being at the core of its business and an integral part of its day to day operations.

Mariam AlQubaisi, Etihad Airways Head of Sustainability, said: "Sustainability in aviation and achieving net zero emissions remains the most important long-term strategic objective for Etihad, spearheaded by our Greenliner Programme. As an airline we have committed to purchasing carbon offsets to completely neutralise the CO2 emissions of our flagship "Greenliner" 787-10 aircraft for a full year of operations in 2021, and it is important to be able to offer that same capability to our guests, who are now able to offset their own personal emissions when flying with Etihad, through CarbonClick. We look forward to expanding on our partnership to offer even more offset capabilities and options to our guests. Watch this space."

Rouse says, it is the natural progression of integrating sustainability practices and a trustworthy carbon offset programme across all aspects of the aviation business that will enable more climate friendly travel across the globe.

Teesside International Airport chosen as pilot area for hydrogen vehicles trial

Teesside International Airport announced (17-Aug-2021) it has been chosen as a pilot area to test zero emission hydrogen vehicles as part of the Tees Valley's Hydrogen Transport Hub.

Among the vehicles to be tested is a hydrogen converted ground support tug designed by ULEMCo.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the initiative is "the first important step" towards Teesside becoming the first hydrogen ready airport in the UK. [more - original PR]

Original report: Airport to pilot UK's first hydrogen transport trial

Airport to pilot UK's first hydrogen transport trial

Teesside Airport has today (17 August) been announced as one the UK's first pilot area to test hydrogen vehicles as part of the Tees Valley's status as the country's Hydrogen Transport Hub.

The £2.5m project will see the airport, among other key Tees Valley organisations, have commercial and support vehicles fitted with 100% hydrogen zero emission engines.

A ground support tug, which tows aircraft, will be converted to run on hydrogen by ULEMCo while global car manufacturer Toyota will supply two Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a range of around 400 miles as well as a forklift truck for use. Trials will aim to show how hydrogen fuelled vehicles can be quick and easy to drive and refuel, cleaning up the air in our local areas, as we aim to meet our net zero ambitions.

One of the most wide-ranging projects will see Toyota deploying a number of hydrogen vehicles across the region's rapid response services, such as emergency response units for the Cleveland Police and NHS patient support.

It was announced, in September last year, that Tees Valley would be home to the UK's first Hydrogen Transport Hub. The hub, in partnership with Teesside University, will form an innovation campus focused on clean energy research and development. It will lead research, development, and testing of new hydrogen transport technologies, including for cars, buses, trains, lorries, boats and planes.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: "This is yet another huge boost for Teesside, putting our region at the forefront of the hydrogen revolution and developing fuels of the future. Following our multi-million-pound redevelopment of our passenger terminal it's only right we ensure our ground operations vehicles are fit-for-purpose and helping lead the region's clean energy ambitions. I want Teesside Airport to be first hydrogen ready airport in the UK and this is the first important step.

"This comes on top of our other clean energy initiatives with low-carbon, hydrogen and renewable schemes taking place across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. We've got a long list of projects such as Teesworks with GE Renewable Energy's massive wind turbine manufacturing facility and Net Zero Teesside's carbon capture, utilisation and storage project.

"It only serves to highlight how we're grabbing opportunities in the clean energy sector with both hands creating good-quality, well-paid jobs in the process."

It was also announced today that HV Systems plan to demonstrate the use of hydrogen in delivery vans in the Tees Valley area. The vans will be operated in collaboration with a leading supermarket chain, running between 19 superstores and their main distribution centre. The project aims to show how delivery vans fitted with fuel cells can have increased range, faster refuelling times than battery electric versions and speed parity with conventional diesel vehicles. Additionally, in collaboration with Sainsbury's, Element Energy will also be trialling a hydrogen-powered HGV.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "With less than 100 days to go until COP26, I'm committed to supporting industry to develop innovative new technologies that will decarbonise transport, helping us to build back greener and level up the country.

"By harnessing the power of hydrogen technology, we can pave the way for its use across all transport modes, creating cleaner, greener more efficient transport systems across the UK."

ULEMCo Managing Director Amanda Lyne added: "We are delighted to be able to build on the success of our 100% hydrogen static genset engine with this mobile vehicle.

"Airport ground support vehicles are yet another niche application that can benefit from decarbonisation using hydrogen without the delay of building a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure."

JSSI partners with Avfuel to launch online resources promoting purchase of sustainable aviation fuel

Jet Support Services (JSSI) partnered (17-Aug-2021) with Avfuel to launch a series of online resources within its customer portal to facilitate the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel.

JSSI clients will be able to access various tools including an online emissions calculator; as well as an option allowing them to offset the carbon emissions associated with their flight hours through Avfuel's Carbon Offset Programme.

JSSI chairman and CEO Neil Book stated: "With approximately 10% of the world's business aviation fleet enrolled on JSSI maintenance programs, we aspire to have a meaningful impact on our industry objective of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. As research and technology continues to advance, we intend to explore many other innovative paths toward decarbonisation". [more - original PR]

Original report: JSSI Teams with Avfuel to Help Clients Offset Emissions

Jet Support Services Inc. (JSSI) is joining the industry push toward a more sustainable future by providing clients with direct access to sustainability tools, resources and a carbon offset program from Avfuel Corporation.

JSSI will enable its clients to evaluate and reduce net carbon emissions by providing an online carbon dioxide (CO2) calculator to estimate emissions, facilitating an option to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions, and boosting the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through Avfuel.

"We are excited to partner with Avfuel to enable our clients to reduce carbon emissions," said Neil Book, chairman and CEO of JSSI. "With approximately 10 percent of the world's business aviation fleet enrolled on JSSI maintenance programs, we aspire to have a meaningful impact on our industry objective of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. As research and technology continues to advance, we intend to explore many other innovative paths toward decarbonization."

"The Avfuel team admires JSSI's dedication to helping clients cut carbon emissions," said Craig Sincock, Avfuel's president and CEO. "We are proud to collaborate to provide efficient tools that make a proven difference in sustainability. We congratulate JSSI for being a true champion for carbon neutrality and are excited to support its admirable goals for a brighter, cleaner future."

In an effort to drive change toward a sustainable future, JSSI will provide online resources within its customer portal to facilitate the purchase of SAF through Avfuel. Derived from biomatter, Avfuel's supply of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel drastically reduces emissions across its lifecycle compared to petroleum-based jet fuel; in the future, SAF could deliver up to 80 percent less greenhouse gas emissions versus traditional jet fuel if used in its neat form.

When reporting flight activity each month, JSSI's maintenance program clients can now choose to offset the carbon emissions associated with their flight hours through Avfuel's Carbon Offset Program. Each carbon credit purchased will offset one metric ton of CO2 emissions through direct investment in a selection of projects with a positive impact on the environment.

All projects supported in the carbon offsetting program must meet the strict requirements of either the United Nations or the Gold Standard. Avfuel calculates carbon credits based on an industry-standardized formula, measured in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the ISO 14064 Standard, and utilizes CO2 emission coefficients as assigned by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

CAPA: SOF Connect's sustainability focus attracts EBRD investment in Sofia Airport

CAPA - Centre for Aviation, in a report entitled: 'EBRD takes equity position in Sofia Airport - sustainability the goal?', stated (15-Aug-2021) the sustainability focus of SOF Connect's bid to operate and manage Sofia Airport might have edged out competitors who offered higher concession fees and investments.

The report also suggests the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) EUR74 million investment in the airport allies with SOF Connect's lead consortium member Meridiam's commitment to sustainable development.

Montenegro and Greece are mentioned as potential targets for further airport equity investments by the EBRD. [more - CAPA Analysis]

Excerpt from original report: EBRD takes equity position in Sofia Airport - sustainability the goal?

Typically, regional investment banks in Europe, Asia, Africa and elsewhere are content to make loans to airport authorities, and increasingly to private sector operators and investors, to help them build necessary infrastructure, and especially so where this helps improve economic performance and GDP.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development follows (EBRD) such a pattern, working essentially in the old political Eastern Bloc of Europe, and it has a track record of loan assistance to airports.

But now the EBRD has invested into an equity stake at Sofia Airport, which was concessioned earlier this year to a fund-led consortium following an acrimonious transaction and numerous appeals by the losing parties. It does so with a mandate to develop infrastructure "in a sustainable manner". Other such deals could follow; if so, that would change the ball game for private sector investors.

This report questions the implications for airport transactions in the future, and if 'sustainability' will dominate them.