Sustainability
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By 2030 we will have at least 190 fuel-efficient aircraft in service. It’s a major investment in the future that will lower fuel consumption and with it carbon emissions by up to 30 percent on each flight.
Technological advances are playing an important role for us in the modernization of the existing fleet too. For example, AeroSHARK is a bionic adhesive film that replicates the skin of sharks and optimizes airflow aerodynamics in particular places, thus reducing friction. SWISS will be the first passenger airline in the world to use the new AeroSHARK technology to further reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption.
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For us, the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are a key step on the path to carbon-neutral aviation. The fundamental concept behind SAF is to replace fossil fuels over the long-term using sustainable alternatives.
For many years the Lufthansa Group has been one of the largest purchasers of SAF. It is constantly investing in research and industrial development of various technological approaches that will make SAF available in larger quantities and more cheaply as soon as possible. The SAF currently used by the Lufthansa Group is produced from biogenic residual materials, such as used cooking oils.
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Efficient flight operations
We’re focusing intensively on all the ways of reducing waste, based on the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle – replace” as we develop products and inflight services. We’re minimizing everything unnecessary and promoting sustainable design in our on-board products. For example, in the case of on-board meals we’re looking at food that’s produced in a resource-efficient way with environmentally friendly packaging materials. Moreover, by making fresh products in a way that is more in line with demand, less unused food has to be thrown away.
By 2025 we’re aiming to gradually replace single-use plastic articles with more sustainable materials. In addition we’re supporting innovative technologies such as the start-up “traceless materials” who are making biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
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A great paint job: less weight, less CO2 emissions
Would you have guessed that a new painting process could reduce the weight of an aircraft and thus reduce CO2 emissions?
Aircraft have to be regularly repainted, with the new layer of paint being applied on top of the old one. In the long run, this makes aircraft heavier and heavier, increasing fuel consumption and consequently CO2 emissions.
Recently, however, Lufthansa has been using a new painting process in which the old paint is chemically removed down to the primer or sanded off before the new paint is applied. This reduces the weight of a Boeing 747 by up to 750 kilograms, and an Airbus A320 by up to 250 kilograms.
30 Lufthansa aircraft have already been painted using the new method – avoiding around 1,300 tons of CO2 emissions per year. This corresponds to six flights from Frankfurt to New York and back. So you see: Every kilo, every gram counts on the way to more sustainability. #MakeChangeFly
Through Compensaid, we’re enabling our passengers to offset their carbon emissions by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel or long-term climate-protection projects, in cooperation with the highly respected myclimate foundation, for example.
Whether it’s when booking or later, through Compensaid passengers can personally decide to opt for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), to support certified carbon-offsetting projects, or simply select a combination of both.
Whether it’s traveling by train or bus to the plane, combining various modes of transport intelligently is an important way of offering an attractive and sustainable alternative on short routes. The Lufthansa Group airlines are constantly expanding their cooperation with local rail providers. For example, we’re offering a rail alternative on any domestic flight to and from Frankfurt, and are now bringing passengers from five European countries by train to our hubs.
Through smart planning and optimized processes, train or bus journeys are perfectly coordinated with flights so that passengers can enjoy a seamless travel experience regardless of the different modes of transport.
We’re focusing intensively on all the ways of reducing waste, based on the principles of “reduce – reuse – recycle – replace” as we develop products and inflight services. We’re minimizing everything unnecessary and promoting sustainable design in our on-board products. For example, in the case of on-board meals we’re looking at food that’s produced in a resource-efficient way with environmentally friendly packaging materials. Moreover, by making fresh products in a way that is more in line with demand, less unused food has to be thrown away.
By 2025 we’re aiming to gradually replace single-use plastic articles with more sustainable materials. In addition we’re supporting innovative technologies such as the start-up “traceless materials” who are making biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
Learn more