Etihad Airways, like other airlines, was hit hard by the pandemic. Nevertheless, as travel continues to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels, Etihad has capitalized by posting record profits in the primary half of 2022. Moreover, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier continues its efforts toward sustainability, which it details in its 2022 sustainability report.
The report, published on May 18th, details the carrier’s commitment to sustainability through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), reducing using plastics, and planting tens of hundreds of trees as a part of the Mangroves Forest project, amongst others.
2022 report
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has released its annual sustainability report, emphasizing Etihad’s commitment to achieving its sustainability goals. By 2025, the carrier plans on a 20% reduction in its passenger fleet by 2035, cutting 2019 emissions by 50% and reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Photo: Nordroden | Shutterstock
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Office, Etihad Aviation Group, said:
“As we glance to the long run, we remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and ensuring the sustainability of our operations. Our sustainability strategy is built on a foundation of collaboration, transparency, and innovation, and we are going to proceed to work with our partners, industry peers, and government agencies to drive positive change and cleared the path towards a greener future for aviation.”
Highlights from 2022
In 2022, Etihad achieved 482g in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometer (RTK), a 26% reduction from 2019. Moreover, the carrier was the primary foreign airline to receive SAF supply in Japan in partnership with ITOCHU Corporation and Neste MY Sustainable Fuel.
On Thursday, October twenty seventh, Flight EY871 flew from Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Abu Dhabi (AUH) powered by a 39.66% sustainable fuel mix. This flight was a part of an agreement for 50,000 gallons of SAF that reduced CO2 emissions by 75.2 tCO2.
In partnership with World Energy, Etihad operated the primary net-zero flight using a book-and-claim system for purchasing sustainable aviation fuel in November of last 12 months, regardless that no SAF was used to power the flight between Washington Dulles and Abu Dhabi. As an alternative, through the book-and-claim system, Etihad made the flight net-zero by SAF, which was delivered to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where it was added to the airport’s fuel supply tanks and sold as stranded jet fuel.
Looking ahead, the operator is trying to operate flights with SAF made out of CO2. The airline is partnering with Twelve with this initiative.
Lastly, its carbon offset program planted 68,916 Mangrove trees within the Etihad Mangrove Forest project. This system, launched in 2022, allows travelers to adopt a mangrove tree for each seat they purchase and take away carbon from the atmosphere.
Greenliner Programme
The Etihad Greenliner Programme is an attempt by the airline to make the aviation industry more sustainable through testing eco-friendly technologies, including eco-friendly in-flight products. Etihad first announced this system in 2019 and, by the top of 2022, has operated greater than 40 eco flights.
Photo: Etihad
Etihad has dedicated its entire Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to this system. The airline’s fleet of 39 787s has been dubbed the ‘Greenliner.’ As well as, Etihad has also dedicated 5 ‘Sustainable50’ Airbus A350-1000s to the project.
Strong bounceback
On top of sustainability efforts, Etihad Airways is amid significant business growth. In 2022, the airline carried 10 million passengers and connected its hub in Abu Dhabi with 68 destinations. Last month, the airline announced plans to double its fleet to 150 aircraft and carry 30 million passengers by the last decade’s end. This 12 months, Etihad plans on carrying 13 million passengers.
As Etihad expands, it’ll only be centered on long and medium-haul destinations. The goal can be to attach destinations in Southeast Asia, China, India, and other Gulf nations, with the East Coast of the USA and Europe.
Contrary to the 2010s, this expansion can be natural and never through equity partnerships or mergers just like the carrier did up to now. Previously, in an try and speed up growth, Etihad invested over a billion dollars in airlines all around the world to determine their very own global alliance. These carriers included Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, airberlin, Aer Lingus, Alitalia, Jet Airways, and Virgin Australia. Lots of those investments turned out badly, as only 4 airlines still operate (Air Seychelles, Air Serbia, Aer Lingus, and Virgin Australia). The failed strategy forced the airline to restructure the airline and alter the operating model.
The expansion plans are a considerable shift from the airline’s previous strategy when it announced its plan to downsize to a medium-sized carrier. With that said, it looks like Etihad is back heading in the right direction.
