Emirates uses a collection of procedures (known as Green Flying Operations) to reduce fuel burn, ensure efficiency and maintain high safety standards.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
In the last financial year (2023-2024), Green Flying Operations and other initiatives have enabled Emirates Airlines to reduce fuel burn by more than 48 000 tonnes.
Moreover, this has led to a reduction in carbon emissions – by over 151 000 tonnes.
PROCEDURES FOR FLYING SMARTER
Flying smarter requires a dedicated focus on minimizing fuel consumption.
Flying smart focuses on minimising fuel consumption and emissions, starting in the cockpit. That said, it does not end there.
There is a collection of initiatives the airline implements to fly smart.
EMIRATES’ GREEN FLYING OPERATIONS
Emirates says it has been using its Green Flying Operating procedures since 2016.
This initiative covers measures used to reduce on-ground and in-flight fuel use while providing pilots with further education, awareness, and data analytics and technology to manage flights as efficiently and sustainably as possible.
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STEERING COMMITTEE
Led by an internal cross-functional Operations Efficiency Steering Group, Emirates aims to mitigate unnecessary fuel burn and emissions where possible, while ensuring the highest safety standards.
“We’re proud of the work done across the Flight Operations team, and the contributions of our pilots in significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. This could have only happened through collective discipline, commitment, and dedication to sustainable aviation practices in the cockpit, all while maintaining the highest levels of safety. We’ve equipped our pilot community with the latest tools and applications to monitor and review their flight performance, helping them to improve their awareness of how their flying techniques impact fuel consumption and emissions. We’ll continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies and accelerate solutions that yield long-term environmental benefits.”
Captain Hassan Al Hammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations
EMIRATES’ GREEN FLYING OPERATIONS PROCEDURES
Here are some of the key operational measures taken in the air and on the ground wherever operationally feasible during each Emirates flight, to reduce unnecessary fuel burn and emissions.
Discretionary Extra Fuel
The commander of each flight has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the flight uplifts a sufficient quantity of fuel for safe operations.
Depending on the assessment of prevailing operational circumstances, the captain may choose to uplift extra fuel beyond the minimum stipulated by regulatory standards.
This initiative aims to encourage the captain to uplift extra fuel based on well-founded judgment and legitimate operational needs.
The goal is to furnish captains with pertinent data and analysis, aiding them in making more informed and precise decisions regarding the uplift of extra fuel.
With this initiative, the uplift of discretionary extra fuel has been reduced significantly.
Flight speed optimization
An aircraft’s speed directly impacts its fuel consumption and emissions.
To accurately calculate the optimised speed for a flight, several considerations are made – based on a thorough calculation that seeks to minimize total operating costs, while maintaining adherence to departure and arrival schedules.
Depending on prevailing operating conditions, pilots may have the opportunity to adjust speed to decrease fuel consumption without compromising the integrity of the flight schedule.
This inflight speed management is an integral part of all Emirates pilots’ standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Reduced flap landing
Aircraft have the flexibility to land using a variety of flap configurations.
Emirates pilots carefully assess and select the flap setting that minimizes aerodynamic drag, reducing fuel consumption as a result.
This decision is made without compromising safety and is adapted to different runway conditions.
Idle reverse thrust
As soon as the aircraft is on the ground, pilots have the option to use different levels of reverse thrust, providing backward thrust to decelerate the aircraft.
Based on prevailing conditions and runway length, Emirates pilots will prioritise the use of idle reverse thrust to reduce fuel consumption.
Reduced engine taxi-in (RETI)
During ground taxiing after landing, aircraft don’t require power from all engines.
Emirates pilots take advantage of every opportunity to engage in reduced engine taxiing by shutting down one or two engines (depending on the aircraft’s engine configuration) upon landing.
This practice is implemented without compromising safety or operational efficiency.
Since it was introduced, the use of RETI has increased almost seven times.
Optimised flight routings
This initiative is key to flight planning efficiencies.
Emirates has been using flexible flight routes since 2003.
Working directly with air traffic control and other industry bodies across its network, the airline works hard to optimise each route flown between cities.
Optimising routings enables Emirates to carry and use less fuel on flights, resulting in lower emissions.
In addition, it translates to time savings for customers.
Technology and Innovation – Flight Pulse
Emirates uses FlightPulse (collaboratively developed with GE Digital Aviation Services), an extensive self-service data analytics tool for all its pilots, incorporating crucial elements of operational data and analytics pertaining to the safety and fuel efficiency performance of each flight.
This tool has indeed significantly transformed the monitoring of flight operations data.
The rollout of FlightPulse has fostered improved collaboration between Flight Operations management and the pilot community at Emirates.
And this ultimately enhances the safety and efficiency of flights.
This initiative demonstrates the airline’s commitment to industry innovation through technology adoption to improve fuel efficiency.
Centre of Gravity Optimisation
The aircraft’s centre of gravity (CG) significantly influences the safety and efficiency of a flight.
Loading the aircraft at the optimised Centre of Gravity ensures proper weight and balance.
This therefore increases its aerodynamic efficiency which ultimately saves fuel.
Emirates has a rigorous policy of loading aircraft to come as close as possible to the ideal trim line, to minimise fuel burn.
APU Usage
Another way Emirates reduces fuel consumption on the ground is by minimising use of its aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU).
Instead, it uses the electrical ground power unit (GPU) to reduce emissions.
Emirates’ use of APUs has reduced by more than 30%.
Adjusted potable water uplift
Emirates uses an exacting scientific method of calculating potable water required for a flight.
This is to reduce aircraft weight for more efficient fuel uplift.
Each flight, however, uploads the required amount of potable water without compromising passenger comfort.
