Norwegian Air is using upgraded weather data, cruise optimization and fuel reduction technology to cut annual CO2 emissions by up to 200,000 tonnes.
The Norwegian carrier, based near the epicenter of Scandinavia’s “flight-shaming” backlash, has adopted an upgraded weather service provided by AVTECH Sweden that provides data enabling it to optimize flights paths to improve fuel efficiency.
The airline’s relationship with AVTECH has reduced C02 emissions by 16,000 tonnes since 2018 and the company’s latest product, Aventis Cruise Optimizer, has the potential to produce savings of another 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes annually.
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The upgraded product analyses more data than its predecessor and calculates the most fuel-efficient altitude depending on prevailing winds and aircraft performance.
This includes an analysis of the number of passengers, the distance traveled, the aircraft deployed and its speed.
Pilots also receive real-time information allowing them to make adjustments if the weather changes during a flight.
“During the test project, there was a marked efficiency improvement in the planning of flight paths which resulted in further fuel and emissions reductions,” said Norwegian’s fuel-saving manager, Stig Patey.
“Each kilogram of fuel makes a difference.”
Norwegian late in 2019 also adopted Skybreathe, a fuel and emissions-reducing tool that leverages big data algorithms developed by a European Union-funded clean skies project.
The airline says this cuts emissions by another 140,000 tonnes annually.
The airline’s average fleet age is just 3.8 years, making it one of the youngest in the industry, and it says it has reduced emissions per passenger kilometre by 33 percent since 2009.
In 2018, it was named the most fuel-efficient airline on trans-Atlantic routes after an analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation of 20 leading airlines flying between the US and Europe.
Other fuel-saving measures helping it cut emissions include modern interiors that weigh less, winglets that reduce drag and an aircraft and engine wash that reduces fuel consumption.
Norwegian is the world’s fifth-biggest low-cost airline, carrying more than 37 million passengers in 2018 and today operating to over 150 destinations worldwide.
