Along with fleet renewal and the use of sustainable aviation fuel, rethinking and optimizing our operational measures are the third lever to reduce the Group’s CO2 emissions.
Taxiing using a single engine on a B777 saves up to 700 kg of fuel.
Eco-piloting enables an average saving of 2% to 3% on fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions.
Since 2012, a total of 270,000 tons of CO2 has thus been avoided thanks to the operational measures deployed by the Group’s airlines.
The Group has implemented a Fuel Plan aimed at reducing fuel consumption thanks to a detailed analysis of flight performance and the deployment of several projects focused on fuel policies and standards, precision flight planning, route optimization and reducing the weight on board.
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All the divisions in every Group company contribute, at their individual levels, to the Fuel Plan so as to reduce their fuel consumption and improve Air France-KLM’s energy efficiency.
Whenever possible, pilots apply the most energy-efficient procedures: detailed flight plans, adjusting speed and optimizing trajectories, landing configurations and, on the ground, taxiing using a single engine.
To facilitate this task, the Group uses performance tools based on artificial intelligence in partnership with innovative start-ups. For example, the SkyBreathe tool enables the highly precise monitoring of the application of best fuel-saving practices on each flight. Transavia was the first airline to deploy this system in France and, like the Group’s other companies, is pursuing its eco-piloting efforts. Other tools have been rolled out like Optidirect, which proposes alternative routes during the flight, thereby enabling a reduction in fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions.
The lighter the aircraft, the lower the fuel consumption. All Air France-KLM divisions are working on reducing the weight on board. This includes, notably, reducing the weight of seats, service and galley equipment, products like paper documentation for Cargo and for cockpit use, magazines and the loading of drinking water.
Equipment embarked: optimization of meal trays and tableware, new trolleys. For example, Air France chose to replace the porcelain tableware used in the Business and La Première cabins on all medium and long-haul flights with lighter melamine tableware.
Loading of drinking water: daily adjustment of the flight specification based on the type of aircraft, load factor and flight duration. Twice a year, the new destinations are analysed to optimize the quantity of water on board. The requirement is calculated based on average hourly consumption and per passenger.
Energy efficiency can be improved thanks to the optimization of routes, flight plans and altitudes, and a reduction in waiting times. Air France-KLM is a major contributor to the SESAR program, which works to attain the Single European Sky (SES) objectives directed at more effective air traffic management. SESAR aims to contribute to the goal of mitigating SES CO2 by 10% by reducing fuel consumption.
Innovations in every maintenance area (engine wash, aircraft washing enabling an improvement in aerodynamic performance, engine removal cycles, etc.).
Better use of equipment to replace engines on the ground, for air-conditioning and the power supply for aircraft, and more investment in eco-friendly equipment.
Since 2019, a mobile engine washing solution has been in place at the airport in addition to cleaning in the hanger. This practice enables an additional CO2 reduction of around 24,000 tons per year.
