Etihad backs sustainability with intensive carbon emission testing

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, is set to undertake intensive research and testing on over 30 flights to check operational efficiencies, technology and procedures to reduce carbon emissions.

The week-long testing, coinciding with Earth Day on April 22, is an expansion of its ongoing sustainability flight testing programme and will include over 20 commercial flights operating across Etihad’s network to test contrail prevention technology, in partnership with SATAVIA, a UK-based green aerospace company.

The airline will also operate up to 13 dedicated ‘EcoFlights,’ testing a range of flight and engine optimisation initiatives, with successful trials to be incorporated into regularly scheduled operations. Each of these flight tests will be conducted on Etihad’s fleet of A350 and 787 aircraft, spearheaded by the ‘Etihad Greenliner’, and Etihad’s newest aircraft, the ‘Sustainable 50’.

"Etihad has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability over the last three years, leading the industry through real world testing and application of technology and processes that provide incremental environmental benefit every time we fly. The results we develop will add to the body of work and knowledge base we’ve built to support the aviation industry on its journey to decarbonisation," said Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group.

The bulk of tests conducted over the week are part of a year-long partnership with SATAVIA, integrating atmospheric modelling with operational flight planning to prevent contrail formation. Aircraft contrails, or condensation trails, are clouds made up of aircraft-generated ice crystals which cause a heating effect globally by trapping atmospheric heat. Contrails cause up to 60 percent of aviation’s total climate impact, the equivalent to two percent of all human impact.

Through these programmes, and Etihad’s ongoing research and testing initiatives such as EcoFlights, Etihad is encouraging and inviting partners from across the aviation sector to join and test sustainability initiatives on scheduled 787 and A350 operations. The results are then processed and validated, with the most sustainable initiatives used as a base for improving the performance of the global airline community.

Etihad Airways leads sustainable aviation with week of intensive flight tests to reduce carbon emissions#WamNews https://t.co/qbhjCPZ484 pic.twitter.com/u62O7YTXx8

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) April 20, 2022