AirAsia signed an MOU with Airbus on 19 September 2024 at the Bali International Airshow, in a bid to boost research into aviation sustainability within Southeast Asia.
By: Haotian
Published on: 21 September 2024, 11.15am (GMT +8)
AirAsia was hailed as 2023's best Low-Cost Carrier. Photo: AirAsia
AirAsia and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus announced a partnership between the 2 companies on 19 September 2024 at Bali Airshow 2024, for the research of sustainable initiatives that will be able to lower carbon emissions in the ASEAN region.
The two companies' sustainability divisions signed a Memorandum of Understanding, in a bid to explore the decentralized production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) utilising feedstock and technologies. This research-based partnership will help to support the further expansion of the use of SAF in the Southeast Asian region.
With the MOU signed, AirAsia and Airbus will also explore measures for the improvement of air traffic measures, as well as the different ways to reduce CO2 emissions, with AirAsia's leading sustainability programs, as well as Airbus' prominence internationally as a global leader in aeronautics and space. The two companies will be finding such solutions as part of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Project.
Capital A's Chief Sustainability Officer, Yap Mun Ching, said in a statement:
“AirAsia will be a key partner of Airbus in ASEAN to test the feasibility of SAF output developed using alternative feedstock and technologies, as well as ground-breaking ATM initiatives supported by Airbus’ innovation teams. As a regional carrier based in five ASEAN countries, we bring unparalleled operational experience in the region to complement Airbus’ technological expertise. The partnership establishes a foundation upon which to build joint projects at multiple levels that address the broad needs of improving the environmental performance of the sector.”
AirAsia received its first Airbus A321neo since the pandemic in June this year, and is slated to receive 5 more in the end of 2024, for service in Malaysia and Thailand. Furthermore, all A321neo delivery flights for AirAsia will be using 5% SAF as part of their sustainability programs.
Airbus' Chief Sustainability Officer, Julie Kitcher, commented:
“Airbus is contributing to the decarbonisation of aviation around the world. That means working with our customers in every region, looking at all solutions available today and collaborating on research for future technologies. AirAsia is a key partner in the ASEAN region and we are excited to work with the airline to explore operational efficiency levers, including air traffic management and scaling up the production and distribution of SAF.”
In 2023, AirAsia reduced emissions of close to 130,000 tonnes of CO2 from its narrow-body regional network through the implementation of over 20 operational efficiency measures, equivalent to the impact of more than 2 million trees planted. These measures contributed to a reduction in fuel costs amounting to US$40 million and over US$388,000 in shadow carbon costs.
Comments