AirAsia has taken a significant step towards promoting environmental sustainability by hosting its first-ever Sustainability Day. Themed “Doing More with Less,” the event aimed to foster industry engagement and encourage collaboration in addressing the pressing need for greener skies.
The day-long event held at AirAsia RedQ in Malaysia featured comprehensive discussions on the airline’s strategies for decarbonization and the challenges and opportunities associated with their implementation. Esteemed speakers, including technical heads and subject matter experts from AirAsia, addressed various topics such as the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into fleet operations, the feasibility of transitioning to greener biofuels, opportunities for ESG financing, and talent management to support future growth.
Sustainability in aviation refers to the practice of minimizing the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of air travel while maintaining the industry’s ability to meet current and future needs. It involves adopting strategies and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize noise pollution, conserve resources, and promote social responsibility.
“All airlines face four pathways to decarbonization: fleet upgrade, adoption of green operating procedures, biofuel adoption, and offsetting remaining emissions. AirAsia’s primary focus lies in upgrading its fleet to the A321neo, recognized as the most fuel-efficient aircraft available, and expanding its industry-leading fuel efficiency program,” according to Yap Mun Ching, Chief Sustainability Officer at Capital A.
Aviation plays a significant role in global transportation and economic development, but it also has a substantial environmental footprint. The industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise pollution, and habitat disruption. Given the expected growth in air travel in the coming decades, addressing these challenges is crucial to mitigate the industry’s impact on the planet and society.
At the sidelines of the event, Ching said that she is planning of visiting the Philippines to meet with the Secretaries of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to discuss how the airline may help the country meet its obligations under the different treaties and agreements related to protecting the environment.
AirAsia Aviation Group Ltd (AAAGL) Chairperson Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim and AAAGL Sustainability Adviser Prof. Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood delivered the opening and closing messages of the event, respectively, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to sustainability.
During a panel discussion, AirAsia’s fleet and flight operations leaders delved into how the airline incorporates ESG considerations into fleet deployment and utilization. With 362 new A321neo aircraft on order, set to be delivered between 2024 and 2035, AirAsia is making significant strides in reducing fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions. Jonathan Sanjay, Senior Manager of Flight Operations Projects, Development & Efficiency, shared that the airline has already saved over US$130M in fuel consumption since 2015. Additionally, AirAsia plans to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel mix by 2025.
AirAsia’s Sustainability Day 2023 also featured valuable insights from Christoph Behrendt-Rieken, the Lead SAF Expert of the EU-Southeast Asia Cooperation on Mitigating Climate Change Impact from Civil Aviation (EU-SEA CCCA CORSIA) Project, who discussed the role of multiple stakeholders in promoting aviation biofuels. Aviation legal specialist Teo Hui Ling, partner at Reed Smith LLP, highlighted options for ESG financing.
A Tour of RedChain Facility
The AirAsia Sustainability Day 2023 event concluded with a session on AirAsia’s experience in leveraging diversity, equality, and inclusion to gain a competitive edge over the past 22 years, followed by a tour of AirAsia’s engineering complex, RedChain, where participants learned about the innovative digitalization initiatives undertaken by Asia Digital Engineering to revolutionize aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul.
In conjunction with Sustainability Day, the airline also launched its Guide to Aviation Sustainability, a handbook that simplifies and explains common sustainability terms associated with aviation. The publication, supported by AirAsia’s business partners, including Avolon, Honeywell, Mirus Aircraft Seating, PETRONAS, Shell Aviation, and SITA, also showcases the outcomes of AirAsia’s own implementation of sustainable measures.
AirAsia’s inaugural Sustainability Day serves as a testament to the airline’s unwavering commitment to driving environmental sustainability in the aviation industry. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, AirAsia aims to accelerate the transition towards greener skies while ensuring a sustainable future for the aviation sector.