Green Recovery for Airlines

Nowadays, the aviation industry plays such an irreplaceable role that the modern globalized world would not be possible without it. Fast air transportation not only helps people stay connected to their loved ones, explore the world or do business, but also supports many industries with high importance for our society. However, the development of the aviation sector is closely connected to increase of emissions. A recent study claims that two-thirds of the aviation’s impact on the environment results from non-CO2 emissions. In the last several months, a new movement has emerged which is gaining traction, especially in aviation. It’s called “Green Recovery”.

One of the reasons for the movement’s popularity is that in March and April, aerial photos of Chinese cities showed them in crisp detail. The air pollution which was a factor for decades in these urban centers has been cut down by 70 to 80 percent. Similarly, CO2 emissions from aviation have fallen to unprecedented levels. This unexpected change even made CORSIA revise its designated “baseline year”, which is now 2019. Once the public has seen the desired outcome, decreased pollution, the question of “green recovery” has moved firmly on the public agenda. Many airlines received government help with certain conditions: keeping employees on payroll and taking steps to reduce pollution levels.

While fuel efficiency procedures’ benefits are already reaching their limits, aircraft connectivity is gaining more importance than ever. An example is the Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, where digital information will be shared between pilots, ATC and airline’s operations center to increase route efficiency, safety and decrease noise and emissions. This is just one example that proves the need for airlines to become digital to keep up with competition and the emerging environmental movement.

One significant area of opportunity is to apply big data analytics to flight data. Honeywell has been leading the way for more than a decade is analyses of post-flight data. Honeywell Forge is a powerful flight data analytics platform that analyzes and unlocks critical performance and operational indicators in flight efficiency, maintenance, safety, block time analysis, ground turn optimization. This empowers over one hundred airlines to improve operational inefficiencies quickly.

Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency collects, cleans, organizes and stores data in order to provide the highest benefit to airlines in their fuel savings capabilities. However, Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency is much more than a fuel efficiency software. Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency has a rich experience of analyzing data and support over 30 airlines in their attempt to combat climate change.

With the help of Honeywell’s powerful data quality engine, airlines can track their emissions and measure the emissions impact resulting from fuel efficiency measures. Another powerful capability is to forecast CO2 emissions.

Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency also supports airlines in adhering to EU ETS and CORSIA regulations. Thanks to high data quality, increased flexibility and various internal and external reports, users can comply with regulations in a timely manner, track their emissions and reduce them. Beyond Flight Analytics

Sustainability in the form of bio fuels or radically new technology such as hybrids, electric aircrafts or fuel cells are also being fast-tracked by various industry participants. Although different aviation authorities and organizations have different projections of the CO2 emissions, the consensus is that the industry is not meeting its own targets. This is a rare opportunity for the airline industry to re-assess demand and adopt new technologies that are scalable enough to meet the requirements of the “Green Recovery.”

While new aircraft and engine technologies are still years in the future, airlines need to act fast to respond to the new reality. Flight data and software analytics provide immediate insight and long-term initiatives to drive “Green Recovery” for airlines.