{"id":26879,"date":"2017-11-15T22:59:36","date_gmt":"2017-11-16T03:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/fuel-sustainability-at-alaska-airlines-good-for-the-environment-and-good-for-business\/"},"modified":"2017-11-15T22:59:36","modified_gmt":"2017-11-16T03:59:36","slug":"fuel-sustainability-at-alaska-airlines-good-for-the-environment-and-good-for-business","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/fuel-sustainability-at-alaska-airlines-good-for-the-environment-and-good-for-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Fuel Sustainability at Alaska Airlines: Good for the environment and good for business?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why does Climate Change Matter to Alaska?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Around the globe the aviation industry accounts for about 10 percent of transportation-related oil use totaling approximately 4.5 million barrels per day- a number expected to double by 2030.[1]<\/a>\u00a0 Carbon emissions from the airline industry are a significant contributor to global climate change, the effects of which are already affecting the industry in very real ways.\u00a0 A study released in 2016 shows an increase in the strength of jet stream winds that will lengthen flight times, increase fuel usage, and worsen environmental impact.\u00a0 Additionally, clear air turbulence is also expected to worsen causing at the very least passenger discomfort and at the most severe aircraft damage and dangerous flight conditions.[2]<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to the physical effects of climate change, increased regulations and potential fines are driving the industry toward creative solutions to address the issues at hand.\u00a0 Domestically, the US airline industry set a goal to \u201cdecrease emissions 1.5% per year, with carbon neutral-growth beginning in 2020, and to cut emissions in half (from 2005 levels) by 2020.\u201d [3]<\/a>\u00a0 In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), established new regulations entitled CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), whose goal is to maintain worldwide emissions at the current level despite expected industry growth. Any airline exceeding these levels after 2020 will be required to pay a fine to offset these emissions.<\/p>\n

What is Alaska Airlines doing to address these issues?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In their 2016 sustainability report, Alaska pledged to not only meet these regulations but set a company goal to reduce mainline emissions 20% per revenue ton mile over 2009 levels by the 2020 deadline.\u00a0 <\/strong>They intend to meet this goal through the use of modern fuel-efficient aircraft, by investing in advanced flight technologies, using satellite navigation to fly more efficient (shorter) routes, and to advance the use of sustainable aviation biofuels. [4]<\/a><\/p>\n

As the 2020 deadline approaches Alaska has made significant progress toward their goals.\u00a0 In 2016, overall mainline emissions had been reduced 15% from the 2009 baseline through three main initiatives: the use of modern aircraft, increases in operational efficiency, and through initiatives to create better air traffic flow and make routing more efficient.\u00a0 Alaska\u2019s aircraft fleet is young- Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q400 aircraft are among the most fuel efficient in their class.[5]<\/a> With fuel being the most expensive operating cost to the airline, increases in fuel efficiency translate to the bottom line which in turn allows Alaska to invest in more fuel-efficient aircraft.[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

In order to see fuel savings in the area of navigation, Alaska partnered with the Port of Seattle, Boeing, and the FAA on a project called Greener Skies, which \u201caims to improve the efficiency of flights landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to reduce fuel usage, carbon emissions and noise pollution.\u201d [7]<\/a>\u00a0 It accomplishes this mission by routing aircraft to the airport in a more direct manner on what can best be described as a sliding board vice a stair step type of decent.\u00a0 Traditional approach patterns requiring leveling off at intermediate altitudes which requires significantly more fuel.\u00a0 By working together with these agencies, Alaska has improved efficiency and reduced emissions for not only their own fleet but for all those who fly into the Seattle area.[8]<\/a><\/p>\n

What comes next?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alaska Airlines has begun to invest in biofuels, testing a 20 percent blend of corn-based fuel on two flights in June 2016 and in November flying from Seattle to Washington DC using fuel made from post-harvest forest residues (tree limbs and branches left over after sustainable logging).[9]<\/a>\u00a0 They have also partnered with Boeing and the Port of Seattle to conduct a $250,000\u00a0biofuel infrastructure feasibility study<\/u> for Seattle airport.\u00a0 Continuing research into these options and working to optimize flight navigation at other major airports will allow Alaska to continue to see sustainability gains moving into 2020.<\/p>\n

Some challenges that Alaska faces are out of their control and pose questions about the future of aviation sustainability practices. \u00a0With biofuel production’s challenging certification process and required capital expenditure, will outside companies build the needed commercial infrastructure?Additionally, will demand for these fuels be high enough for commercial construction to begin given that pricing challenges are high following the decrease in traditional fuel prices?[10]<\/a><\/p>\n

[705 words]<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Mazyar Zeinali et al., \u201cU.S. Domestic Airline Fuel Efficiency Ranking 2010,\u201d The International Council on Clean Transportation, September \u00a02013, p. 14, http:\/\/www.theicct.org\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/U.S.%20Airlines%20Ranking%20Report%20final.pdf, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Paul D. Williams, \u201cTransatlantic flight times and climate change,\u201d\u00a0http:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2016-02-climate-transatlantic-flights.html<\/a>, accessed November 2016.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Alaska Airlines, 2016 Sustainability Report, https:\/\/www.alaskaair.com\/content\/about-us\/sustainability-report\/, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Alaska Airlines, 2016 Sustainability Report, https:\/\/www.alaskaair.com\/content\/about-us\/sustainability-report\/, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> https:\/\/www.triplepundit.com\/2014\/04\/alaska-air-group-sets-aggressive-sustainability-goals\/<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Natasha Geiling, \u201cCan Eco-Conscious Travelers Do Anything To Fly Green?,\u201d Smithsonian Mag, <\/em>August 11, 2014, https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/travel\/if-you-travel-and-care-about-environment-you-should-buy-carbon-offsets-180952222\/, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Cosgrove, Cole. “Alaska VP asks senators to support extending NextGen \u2018all the way to the runway\u2019.” Alaskaair.com. June 27, 2014. Accessed November 13, 2017. https:\/\/blog.alaskaair.com\/alaska-airlines\/green\/alaska-vp-asks-senators-to-support-extending-nextgen-all-the-way-to-the-runway\/.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> \u201cReport Shows Benefits of ‘Greener Skies’ approaches at Sea-Tac Airport,\u201d June 30, 2015, PR Newswire, https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/report-shows-benefits-of-greener-skies-approaches-at-sea-tac-airport-300106956.html, accessed November 12, 2017.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/alaska-airlines-just-completed-forest-powered-flight<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Alaska Airlines, 2016 Sustainability Report, https:\/\/www.alaskaair.com\/content\/about-us\/sustainability-report\/, accessed November 2017.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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