SWISS is constantly developing new ways and means in its flight operations of further lowering its fuel consumption and thus its CO2 emissions.
Pilots
SWISS pilots do not fly at maximum speed during the cruise phase of flight on the company’s European network. The company has a systemwide policy of accelerating on departure after climbing to 1500 ft above the ground (instead of 3000 ft) - wherever this is permitted by local noise regulations. The takeoff flaps are retracted earlier. This results in lower air resistance and cuts fuel burn.
Flight systems
A sophisticated flight management system enables altitude and airspeed to remain optimally adjusted to the current weight, wind and temperature situation.
A planning system analyses up-to-date information on weather, traffic, wind, route and payload.
Before each flight it calculates the fuel required as accurately as possible. This helps the pilots decide how much fuel they will take on board.
In the course of a long-haul flight, a further system recalculates the aircraft’s centre of gravity. Accordingly it redistributes the remaining fuel among its fuel tanks to maintain an optimum flight attitude. This lowers air resistance and further reduces fuel consumption.
Not taking more fuel than is needed can have immense benefits in ecological terms. On long-haul flights, some 300 kg of kerosene are burned just carrying every 1 000 kg of fuel.
