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Emirates Airline has saved almost 10 million litres of jet fuel and 772 hours of flight time in the five years since working with AirServices Australia (ASA) to pioneer an innovative flight route planning and airspace management programme called Flex Tracks. The Flex Tracks programme, which involves the use of sophisticated ground and cockpit technology to track live weather to chase tailwinds and favourable conditions, was developed by ASA and Emirates in December 2003.
Following the fifth anniversary of Flex Tracks, Emirates has now fully analysed the results over this period and can reveal that the partnership to cut fuel burn, flight time and emissions has delivered aggregated fuel savings of 9.6 million litres (equivalent to approximately 351 tanker trucks) and cut flight times by 772 hours and 21 minutes.
The fuel burn reductions achieved by Emirates has also resulted in substantial cuts to emissions, with a total reduction of 26,644 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and 163 tonnes of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).
“Since its launch in 2003 Emirates has progressively expanded the operation of Flex Tracks to all its Australian services and is a major pillar of the airline’s efforts to drive eco-efficiencies throughout its global network,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. He added: “Emirates have made a multi-billion dollar investment in new state-of-the-art aircraft, and Flex Tracks helps us stretch the environmental performance and unlock the full potential of these new aircraft. Emirates’ partnership with ASA is a great symbol of our commitment to driving eco-efficiency throughout our operations. Saving 9.6 million litres of fuel makes good commercial sense and also delivers significant environmental dividends.”
Flex Tracks allow pilots and Emirates flight operations to exploit prevailing weather conditions and maximise tailwinds. The Flex Tracks programme is particularly significant for ultra long-haul flights where weather reports of upper-level winds are regularly updated in-flight, allowing significant fuel burn and time savings to take place.
The broader industry is now starting to experience the benefits of Flex Tracks with many airlines now participating in the programme; as well as other jurisdictions adopting the technology.
AirServices Australia Chief Executive Officer, Greg Russell says the partnership with Emirates showcases the benefits that can be achieved when air navigation service providers and customer airlines work collaboratively.
“Flex Tracks highlights how an innovative approach to airspace management can deliver significant environmental and business dividends. It is a classic win-win-win. We deliver efficiencies in air space management by the introduction of new technologies and procedures; Emirates delivers reduced fuel burn and reduced emissions; and the global community benefits from reduced environmental impact and keeping air transport affordable by containing unnecessary costs,” Mr Russell said.
“And it won’t stop here. We are planning to use the strength of our tried and tested relationship with Emirates to deliver more benefits and outcomes through world leading initiatives such as User Preferred Routes,” he added.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
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