Etihad Airways will mark Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2020 by operating a special ‘eco-flight’ from Abu Dhabi to Brussels, featuring a range of initiatives designed to illustrate the airline’s broad commitment to sustainable practices in the air and on the ground.
Flight EY 57, departing at 2.20am on 13 January 2020, will be operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft which consumes at least 15 per cent less fuel than any aircraft type previously flown by the airline.
The aircraft will follow an optimized flight route facilitated by the European airspace navigation service provider Eurocontrol to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
A range of other initiatives will be undertaken before, during and after the flight to highlight incremental opportunities to reduce the airline’s impact on the environment.
Tony Douglas, Group chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Sustainable practice is a critical and continuing challenge for the air transport industry, which is striving to reduce carbon emissions and waste, while meeting soaring demand for air travel. It is also a key priority for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, in which Etihad is a critical driver of both social and economic development.
“This year’s national theme of the United Arab Emirates is ‘2020: Towards the next 50’. Etihad is committed to working continuously with a range of partners as part of a broader national focus on environmental sustainability.”
Source: Arabian Aerospace