Reducing your carbon footprint, both personally and at a business level, is becoming a top priority for many people, and this is no different for us at Monarch. The way we do business and the decisions that we now take are influenced by the impact they may have on the environment as we seek to reduce our carbon footprint. This is being done through the aircraft that we fly and the way we fly them, as well as through our people and our office infrastructure.
Whilst recent studies have shown that contrary to common misconception, aviation is not a major emitter, with its contributions to EU emissions accounting for only 4% of EU15 CO2 (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, UK), we recognise that as an industry we must play our part to help reduce emissions and a number of steps have been taken within our business help us achieve this.
Between 1990 and 2005, we improved our fuel efficiency by 20.9% which was achieved by the addition of new fuel efficient aircraft within the fleet and through a series of modifications to our ground and flying procedures.
There is still more work to do however as we look to improve our fuel efficiency further. By the end of 2015 we aim to have improved by a further 6.8% which will equal a cumulative total of 27.6%. This will be achieved through the replacement of, and the addition of, new aircraft into our fleet, including the introduction of six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, due for delivery between 2010 and 2013.
New technology is an important factor in our drive to reduce emissions and the new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft will form the core of our future long-haul fleet. Incorporating revolutionary cabin designs, seat back monitors, improved air conditioning, bigger windows, more stowage, improved lighting and an altogether enhanced cabin environment, the Boeing 787 aircraft will use 20% less fuel per passenger than similarly sized aircraft, generating lower emissions and quieter take offs and landings. The aircraft also boasts faster cruise speeds enabling shorter sector times for flights which further reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
In addition to new aircraft, a series of initiatives have been, and will continue to be implemented to reduce the CO2 emissions we produce from flying. The weight carried on our aircraft dictates the amount of fuel used and burnt when flying, which directly impacts on our CO2 emissions. Reducing the weight of our aircraft is also very important therefore and is being achieved through a number of activities including the removal of surplus catering stowage units, saving over 90 tonnes of fuel per annum plus accurately measured water levels being uplifted. The way we fly has also been modified and wherever possible now includes single engine taxiing at airports, continuous descent approaches when landing and air traffic control enhancements, providing more direct and therefore shorter routings for flights.
Within our offices and engineering hangers, we work closely with the Carbon Trust who visit us regularly to audit our energy consumption, evaluate our working processes and make recommendations as to how we can most effectively take advantage of energy saving opportunities. By working with the Carbon Trust over a sustained period of time and implementing their energy saving ideas, we are confident that our office and aircraft maintenance facilities are running as efficiently as possible and that we are taking the necessary steps to significantly reduce our carbon emissions.
