Posted by Jamie in Green Companies, Green Products & Services | 0 Comments
Continental Airlines: Taking fuel efficiency to the skies
Warning: strip_tags() expects parameter 1 to be string, array given in /home/propelea/public_html/wp-includes/formatting.php on line 631
Due to the airline’s size and status, Continental Airlines naturally comes under the scrutiny of various pro-environment groups and conglomerates that have started a global green movement aimed at reducing greenhouse gases and increasing the energy efficiency of organizations.
Not to be left behind in this initiative to save the world’s resources, Continental Airlines has implemented many measures to ensure utmost efficiency in their operations. Their site states that they are “the most fuel efficient major US carrier.” Certainly, they have backed this talk with concrete measures that have paid off. Here are several facts about their fleet:
• Continental has invested more than $12 billion to acquire 270 energy fuel efficient aircraft and equipment. This has resulted in a 35% reduction of greenhouse gas emission and fuel consumption per revenue passenger mile.
• As a result of investing heavily in fleet modernization, Continental has mitigated its greenhouse gas emission by 1.2 million metric tons.
• The airline employs twin-engine aircraft, which consume less fuel and emit less CO2 than three- or four-engine ones.
• The company has installed more efficient fan blades to the engines of their Boeing 777s.
• By 2013, Continental will have then invested in more than $9 billion in new, even more efficient aircraft and ground equipment.
• Continental is investing on the modern Boeing 787, which uses the proprietary GEnx engine, which was designed by GE to have minimal emissions.
• Continentaly has outfitted their planes with winglets, which are designed to reduce emissions and noise.
Continental Airlines has not only invested in and modified their fleet but they also have altered their operations in such a way as to be more ecologically friendly:
• The airline has worked cooperatively with the world’s governments in order to determine the most efficient fight paths and implement them.
• Continental has modified its flight planning system in order to come up with one that yields the most efficient fuel consumption. The company also modifies this system every time new technology becomes integrated into their fleet.
• The company, where possible, employs alternative, energy-saving methods in providing air conditioning and power to aircraft that are parked at gates.
• Continental minimizes engine usage by: a.) employing ground vehicles in moving aircraft from gate-to-gate and b.) using only one engine when ground taxiing.
• The company trains personnel in fuel efficient procedures.
• In landing sequences, Continental has reduced the use of fuel-powered thrust reversers.
• Continental routinely cleans the engines and wings of its fleet in an effort to reduce emissions and drag. It also is continuing to find ways to lighten its craft to further reduce power consumption.
Their ground service equipment and facilities have also undergone alterations that have long since made them more eco-friendly:
• Continental Airlines has shifted to electronically-powered ground equipment in Houston, cutting their nitrogen oxide emissions by 75%.
• They use certified Low Emission Vehicles.
• The company is also studying more efficient ground equipment and operations including: a.) studying the use of electrical equipment in cold regions, b.) testing alternative fuel and fuel additives, c.) testing the use of bio-fuels.
• Their Terminal E that is located in Houston is 15% more efficient than the usual terminal.
• Continental is committed to building LEED certified facilities that also conform to US EPA “Energy Star” standards.
• They employ energy efficient lighting systems and coordinate with hub airports and cities in making environmental mitigation programs.
More information on Continental Airlines:
- Southwest Airlines Tests Green Plane
- Lawmakers protest plans to grade cars by fuel-efficiency
- Federal government considering updating car stickers to include fuel efficiency and gas emissions information
- eBay Inc.: A force for green
- Contrails from aircraft contributing to global warming more than flight itself
