Sustainable Aviation Progress Report 2011 Published

March 25th, 2011

Commitment to Sustainable Aviation Remains Strong, Despite Economic Challenges to the Industry

The third progress report from Sustainable Aviation (SA) is launched today by its Chair Jill Brady.

The 2011 Progress Report sets out SA’s achievements over the past two years in working collaboratively towards its goals on the environment, climate change, noise, air quality and waste.

It also outlines the new work programme already under way in SA, a unique coalition of UK airports, airlines, engine and airframe manufacturers and air traffic management, set up six years ago by the industry to address its long-term sustainability.

In a speech to the UK Aviation Club, Jill Brady said: “Despite the most challenging couple of years in the industry that I can remember, members’ commitment to Sustainable Aviation has not wavered. Real progress has been made in many areas, not least in the management of aircraft waste and local air quality, identifying and proving new sustainable fuels, initiatives in air traffic management and airport procedures, and in offering a realistic assessment of the inter-dependencies between noise, CO2 and local air quality.”

She highlighted an initiative last year testing a “Perfect Flight” between Heathrow and Edinburgh. Every stage of the journey was calibrated to achieve optimal performance. The flight used around 350kg less fuel and one tonne of CO2 (about 11%) on the norm for the route.

“This shows that collaboration between Sustainable Aviation signatories can deliver tangible positive results and demonstrates the potential for future environmental improvements,” said Jill.

“With the Government set to develop a new policy framework for aviation, Sustainable Aviation will continue to play a crucial role in proving the industry’s commitment to addressing its environmental impacts. It will also be an opportunity for us to demonstrate how our sector can grow sustainably while maintaining its position as a critical part of the UK and global economy.”

The Progress Report has been endorsed by Sustainable Aviation’s Stakeholder Panel, a group of recognised independent sustainability experts.

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Notes to Editors

  • A world first, Sustainable Aviation was launched in 2005 and brings together a broad coalition of UK airlines, airports, engine and airframe manufacturers and its main Air Traffic Management provider. It published Progress Reports in 2006 and 2009 and a CO2 Roadmap in 2008. All publications are available on the SA website www.sustainableaviation.co.uk
  • SA is unique in the transport sector, established specifically to find industry solutions to the aviation sustainability challenge. There is no equivalent in road, rail or shipping. Solutions require the cooperation and collaboration of all parts of the industry working together.
  • SA aims to inform aviation policy development to ensure a balanced approach for meeting sustainability criteria while safeguarding the future development of an industry critical to the health of the UK economy.
  • SA’s work is overseen by a Council comprising senior representatives from industry associations and signatory companies which have adopted SA’s goals.
  • An independent Stakeholder Panel monitors SA’s progress and works with the SA Council to ensure that relevant priorities and challenges are tackled. The Panel includes representatives from the Aviation Environment Federation, University of Leeds, the Department for Transport and Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
  • Jill Brady is Director of HR and External Affairs at Virgin Atlantic.