THE GREEN WATCH ➔ Etihad's flight optimisation
ETIHAD Airways says the savings to be made on fuel consumption and carbon emissions through the practice of optimised flight routings is huge, following a trial. The carrier recently saved
some nine tonnes of carbon emissions simply by optimising their flight plans on two services between Abu Dhabi and Australia. Thanks to the cooperation of various air traffic control centres, the airline was able to fly routes that took advantage of prevailing jet streams, saving around 2.8 tonnes of fuel. James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive officer, says, “The fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions made by these flights are potentially hugely beneficial for both the aviation industry and the environment. “In recent years, the technological advances made in aircraft navigation systems
INNTEL OFFERS GREEN CHOICE
HOTEL booking agency Inntel has signed up with the Green Tourism Business Scheme in order to help clients make an environ- mentally informed choice about the hotels they use. The GTBS compiles comprehensive information about hotels’ green credentials – such as energy and water efficiency and waste management – and then awards the hotel Bronze, Silver or Gold status, now visible to clients using Inntel’s i-Central online booking tool. Hotels’ Green Tourism Business Scheme status will also feature in Inntel’s eco- management information reports that it supplies to clients, giving them and their account managers a clear picture of booking patterns and trends.
Five minutes with... David Giles
PROFILE
Chairman, The Giles Group GILES TRAVEL
2012 marks David's 39th year in the travel industry. He started Giles Travel ten years ago, following the sale of his previous company, Amersham Travel. His role remains very much hands-on and is focused on steering the group on to bigger and better things.
have been enormous. Aircraft are no longer reliant on ground- based navigation systems but use advanced navigation systems based on the GPS satellite constellations. “This allows aircraft to fly an infinitely variable number of different routes between two points, subject to the agreement and approval of Air Traffic Service Providers (ANSPs).
Hogan continues, “If similar savings were possible just once each week for flights between Abu Dhabi and Australia, we conservatively estimate an annual reduction in carbon emissions of some 1,100 tonnes and a saving of 350 tonnes of fuel. This would represent a reduction of more than four tonnes of carbon on every flight.”
BIOFUEL PRODUCTION ON THE UP
What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? In January 2011 my marketing director, John Cooper, and I flew over to meet our US partners TS24, in Columbus, Ohio. Flights were via Chicago and coincided with the worst winter storms the States had seen for 30 years. Having just made it out of O’Hare on a plane that was icing up as we took off, getting back to Chicago meant an eight-hour road trip as we substituted flying for driving. I lost count of the overturned trucks we passed on the ice-coated highways.
What is your worst business travel experience and why? Again, Chicago. Due to a faulty door, I had to leave the upstairs cabin and was bumped down to economy in order for the plane to take off. We were then stuck on the runway for four hours. During this time and throughout the flight, everyone was smoking. As a non-smoker, the experience was pretty grim!
What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? Borneo, for the unspoilt nature, amazing wildlife and incredible golf!
GLOBAL production of biofuels increased 17 per cent in 2010 to reach an all-time high of 105 billion litres according to research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute's Climate and Energy Program. High oil prices and new laws
in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China and the United States are all factors behind the surge in production says the Institute. Brazil and the US are the two largest producers of ethanol, with the latter supplying 57 per cent of global output. Corn is the primary ingredient for US
ethanol, and sugarcane is the main source in Brazil. "In the United States, the
record production of biofuels is attributed in part to high oil prices, which encouraged several large fuel companies to enter the ethanol industry," says Alexander Ochs, director of Worldwatch's Climate and Energy Program. High oil prices were also
a factor in Brazil's rise in production, where one in three car owners drives a ‘flex-fuel’ vehicle that can run on either fossil or bio-based fuels.
What three items do you never leave home without when on business? iPad, Bose noise-cancelling headphones, and paracetamol for getting through the social side of the business travel industry.
What single thing could be done to improve your business travelling life? Banning reclining seats on short-haul European flights. I always get stuck behind the passenger who can’t sit upright for even one hour!
What destinations would you like to visit next and why? We’re planning a roadshow to visit the offices of our latest global client, Nike. Destinations include Portland, Seattle, Alaska, Amsterdam and Sydney.
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