SriLankan Airlines has commenced transforming its worldwide operations into environment-friendly 'Green Flights,' becoming the first airline in South Asia to 'make a full and unconditional commitment to environmental conservation.' Flight UL 557 from Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport to Frankfurt on March 21 was the first 'Green flight' in the region, a press release by the airline said. The concept involves a comprehensive range of measures to make flights as environment-friendly as possible by minimising fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise levels. For the passengers, the experience began with a special 'Green counter' at the airport and paperless ticketing. Even the vehicles used for support services were certified as environment friendly. FlySmiLes, a loyalty programme, surprised some members and non-member passengers with gifts and offers of bonus miles for environmentally friendly travel practices. On board, the cabin crew carried the message of conservation. Maximum use of recyclable materials including biodegradable plastic and segregation of waste in the aircraft are some of the steps being adopted. Even the weight of magazines carried had been reduced, it said. As part of reducing use of aviation fuel, the aircraft was pushed back from the terminal and towed as far as possible. While boarding passengers, its air-conditioning and other systems were powered from ground power sources; the takeoff was on reduced flaps to burn less fuel. The aircraft itself had been prepared further by a full wash of its fuselage and engines to reduce wind drag while in flight. The flight also took a direct route at an optimum height for fuel conservation. It carried out a 'continuous descent approach,' landed with reduced flaps and was taxied with a single engine. It made use of the used 'idle reverse thrust' after landing as opposed to the 'full reverse thrust' and used a preferential runway, all to conserve fuel.
The Hindu, 29th March 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment