Journey to
Sustainable Aviation
The commercial aviation sector is highly visible when it comes to climate concerns, and it has been responsive when it comes to plotting a course toward a sustainable future for the industry.
The aviation sector is committed to sustainability. All 260 members of the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA), the sector’s most widely representative trade body, have committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Etihad Airways has been exploring numerous avenues to achieve this. One of the most revolutionary being Sustainable Airline Fuel, which the airline has continuously increased its use of since becoming a founding member of the Sustainable Bioenergy Reasearch Consortium in 2011.
All this comes in the face of rising travel demand. According to IATA, overall demand
for air travel is expected to reach 94% of 2019 levels in 2023, increasing to 103% in
2024 and 111% in 2025. The pandemic showed us what happens to global economies
and international trade when the business of aviation stops. Etihad is an industry
leader in reducing aviation’s impact on the environment, and continues
to show the way.
2003
Etihad commences operations
And swiftly establishes itself as a significant player in the aviation sector.
2012
Etihad operates its first biofuel-powered flight from Seattle to Abu Dhabi
The first in the Gulf to be powered in this way. This is a significant milestone for the company the region and the aviation industry, and a steppingstone on the journey to explore, support and accelerate the drive toward a commercially viable sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
2019
The Etihad Greenliner Programme is unveiled
The Etihad Greenliner Programme is unveiled at the Dubai Air Show, where Etihad and Boeing sign a joint eco-partnership to engage in a flying testbed program for sustainable aviation fuels, eco-friendly in-flight products, optimized airspace management, more eco-friendly takeoffs and noise reduction.
2020
Etihad’s partnership in Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program
Builds on the commitments made by both companies to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as a testbed for sustainable technology. Engaging with Safran and NASA, under the Greenliner Programme, brings a broad spectrum of aviation experts together to move the world forward on sustainability.
2021
Greenliner eco trial
flight (ecoflight)
Tests eco-friendly initiatives in support of sustainable aviation, as well as prioritizing customer safety through Covid-19 safety and wellness protocols.
2022
Introducing the extremely efficient Airbus A350-1000
Part of the Sustainable50 initiative, a partnership between Etihad, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, to drive operational efficiencies, support decarbonization and build a sustainable commercial aviation sector. Etihad’s umbrella sustainability strategy brings together the largest OEMs in the industry to tackle aviation sustainability through the Greenliner and Sustainable50 programmes.
2035
Goal to reduce 2019
net emissions by 50%
2050
Net-zero carbon target
A sustainable future for aviation is achievable.
Find out how Etihad is leading the way here.
50%
less emissions
by 2035
Follow flight path
Etihad becomes a founding member of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), set up to explore sustainable and alternative fuels for the aviation industry.
2011
2019
Etihad’s first flight from Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam using homegrown biofuel produced in Abu Dhabi
at the SBRC’s flagship Seawater, Energy and Agriculture Facility.
Using a Boeing 787 as the foundation, Greenliner flights consume
15%
less fuel than conventional aircraft.
Abu Dhabi International Airport introduces
electric tractors which
service 37% of flights.
33
2020
2021
Etihad raises
$1.2bn
in the first sustainability-linked loan tied to ESG targets in global aviation.
This follows two innovative aviation financing deals: a sustainability-linked transition sukuk in 2020, and a loan tied to the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2019.
Sustainable flight from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi uses
reduces
38%
2021
SAF
70%
of emissions, with
100%
offset
2022
Partners with SATAVIA to work to reduce indirect emissions from contrails.
Corporate Conscious Choices and Conscious Choices launched. The first ever green loyalty airline program.
2022
The Etihad Mangrove Forst project is launched. Aims to establish
carbon-absorbing forests in all countries in which Etihad operates.
2022
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The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content.
It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content.
It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
The Reuters news staff had no role in the production of this content. It was created by Reuters Plus, the brand marketing studio of Reuters.
