Mitigating the impacts of climate change remains one of our greatest environmental challenges as a business. We are dedicated to delivering on our commitments to carbon-neutral growth by continuously improving the sustainability of our flight operations, and continuing to call for a global industry agreement on climate change.
Improving fuel efficiency through a comprehensive programme of fleet modernisation, weight management and route optimisation has been part of our operating culture since the introduction of non-stop flights from Hong Kong to London on a B747-200 in the 1980s. The initiatives and processes identified at the time have become entrenched in our operating culture. We continue to seek ways to improve efficiencies in engine technology and maintenance, flight routing and speeds, reduce taxi times and onboard weight. We have continuously improved fuel efficiency, for example by purchasing the most efficient aircraft for our operations, maintaining them to the highest standards and progressively retiring older aircraft. We seek to specify the most appropriate aircraft type for the intended route and plan flights with greater accuracy, accounting for wind direction, appropriate altitude and accurate payload for the exact amount of fuel required to maximise efficiency whilst always ensuring safety. We are constantly working with air navigation service providers around the world including regulators and airport authorities (e.g. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Air Traffic Services (NATS), AirServices Australia, Eurocontrol) to improve route efficiency and trial new Continuous Descent Approaches (CDA) procedures and so-called 'flex-track' operations. For instance, in the past year, together with the FAA and the airport authority at San Francisco, we have been conducting 'Tailored Arrival' approaches related to CDAs for our long haul flights into San Francisco. This air traffic management concept developed by Boeing helps us increase the efficiency of arrival procedures and achieves fuel saving of between l00kg and 400kg per flight as a result.
Continuous aircraft efficiency assessment
New route for westbound Trans-Pacific sectors (SFO-HKG), with 198 tCO2 emission savings for the monitoring period from February to May 2010
| A Summary of Our Efficiency Initiatives | ||
| IATA Four Pillar Strategy | CX and KA initiatives | Emission Savings |
| Technological Progress  |
Introduction of four Boeing 777-300 ER (Extended Range) and one Airbus A330 to fleet in 2010 | Boeing 777-300 ER is 26% per RTK more fuel efficient than the B747-400 they replaced on certain routes |
| Airbus A330 is 25% more fuel efficient compared to the B747-400 | ||
| Modification of engines on our A330 fleet | 11,000 tCO2 per year | |
| Operational measures  |
Utilising and manually fine-tuning the flextrack approach - use real-time wind data to generate flexible flight tracks for flight planning | 607 tCO2 on monitored flights in 2010 |
| Using alternative base coat exterior paint | Depends on aircraft type. E.g. 134 tCO2 on the A340 in 2008 | |
| Core washing engines | 18,500 tCO2 in 2010 | |
| Improved Infrastructure  |
New route for westbound Trans-Pacific sectors, e.g. SFO-HKG | 198 tCO2 for the monitoring period from February to May 2010 |
| Developing new arrival tracks from north and west Hong Kong in conjunction with the HK Civil Aviation Department (CAD) | 54,000 tCO2 per year | |
| North Pacific route improvements | 926 tCO2 per year | |
| European route improvements (MORIT route) | 0.6 to 0.9 tCO2 per flight | |
| Economic measures  |
FLY greener offsets since 2007 | 80,000 tCO2 purchased |
| Compliance with the EU ETS and establishment of inter-departmental EU ETS working group | - | |
Our new fuel-efficient fleet
CX Boeing 777-300 ER  |
Boeing 777-300 ER: Powered by two extremely efficient GE90 engines, the B777-300ER is already carrying more passengers and freight over longer distances with 26% to 28% efficiency gains per RTK. We have 18 of these in operation, and are expecting further 18 deliveries up to 2014. This aircraft is already being utilised on most of our trans-Pacific operations where maximum fuel efficiency gains can be made. This aircraft also featured trials in conjunction with the HK CAD on a navigation method known as the RNAV (RNP) approach procedures, which we commenced in 2009. After a period of successful trials, HK CAD published these procedures in the middle of 2010 to be utilized by approved airlines. This procedure provides greater efficiency in terms of airspace management. |
Simulation of the A350 in CX colours  |
Boeing 747-8 Freighter: This new generation freighter is highly fuel efficient and has the capability for the highest payload of any commercial cargo aircraft. Utilising the GEnx-2B engine and advance rake wing tip design, this aircraft is expected to further reduce fuel consumption and fleet maintenance costs. We are expecting our first delivery in 2011 and have placed a total of 10 orders. Airbus A350-900: We have ordered 32 of this extra wide-bodied aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2015 and 2019. This represents the largest ever order of new aircraft for Cathay Pacific. The aircraft will be powered by two Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, and includes an advanced wing tip design reducing noise and drag, which will increase fuel efficiency. The aircraft is constructed from lightweight carbon composite material, and will utilise eco-efficient manufacturing principles. It will be capable of flying over 8,000 nautical miles non-stop, enabling it to operate on any route on our network including non-stop to Europe and North America. |