Since the introduction of the first jet planes in the late 1950s, the aviation industry has reduced fuel consumption and thus CO2 emissions by more than 70 percent. According to the Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research (ACARE), technological innovation will enable a further reduction of 50 percent by 2020.

Aircraft for the future
SWISS employs state-of-the-art technology in its aircraft. Its latest planes are powered by more efficient engines, built with lighter high-tech materials and designed to be more aerodynamic. In 2003 and 2004, SWISS replaced its MD11 fleet with Airbus A340 aircraft, reducing fuel burn by 11 percent on long-haul flights with these types of planes. That translates into an annual reduction of CO2 emissions of 100,000 metric tonnes – or what roughly 40,000 cars emit in an entire year*. 

As a successful company, SWISS can invest in upgrading its fleet and cutting emissions further. In 2009 and 2010, SWISS will be replacing its Airbus A330-200s with newer Airbus A330-300s. The new aircraft consume approx. 13 percent less fuel per passenger and thus emit 13 percent less CO2. And the fleet upgrade continues: Starting in 2014, the Avro RJ100 regional aircraft will be phased out in favour of a new generation of Bombardier C110s. Compared to the predecessor models, this will trim CO2 emissions by roughly 25-30% or 90,000 metric tonnes. Noise emissions will also drop by 10-15 dB, which the human ear perceives as a reduction of more than 50%.

Every kilo counts
SWISS continues to find new ways to minimise fuel burn by reducing the weight of its existing fleet. One particularly innovative example: the installation of ultra-light carbon-fibre seats in its entire regional and European fleet. The project was completed in the spring of 2008. As a result, SWISS has eliminated just over 250 metric tonnes in fuel consumption and 800 metric tonnes in CO2 emissions each year. New inflatable cushion seats will be installed on the long-haul A330s in 2009 and on the A340s at a later date, slashing CO2 emissions by another 2,000 metric tonnes per year. The new seats are not just lighter; they're also more comfortable. These examples prove that customer service, environmental responsibility and financial performance are not mutually exclusive.

Another weight-reduction program calls for the removal of the little-used footrests in regional aircraft or the use of new trolleys in the new A330s, which saves 240 kg per plane.

*Assumption: consumption of 8 l petrol/100 km (29.4 mpg), 12,000 km per year