Sustaining Reductions in Aircraft Emissions for Canada’s Major Airlines

Abstract

In a time of growing climate awareness, Canada’s major airlines are facing increasing challenges to provide a sustainable and measurable reduction in emissions. Air Canada and WestJet demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility and emission reductions through replacing their fleet with newer and more fuel efficient aircraft, however this historically accepted approach is not sustainable in today’s changing world.

Assessing the capacity of an airline to meet its emission targets in the volatile aviation industry, this analysis identifies the importance of values statements in guiding employee behavior, establishing culture, and the role values play in environmental responsibility; specifically attuned to the ability of airlines to sustain their emission reduction programs. Specifically, this research draws attention to the ability of airlines to achieve organizational targets through reducing ambiguity whilst increasing values congruence.

In the identification and measurement of airline emission reduction strategies, it is evident that no established mechanism exists for airlines to quantify their emission reduction sustainability. Considering the volatile and uncertain future faced by airlines to meet corporate social responsibility goals, this analysis presents a framework that will enable airlines to forecast, measure and analyze their capacity to meet sustainable emission reduction targets.

Appendices

Appendix A: Framework Calculations

ERI:

• Westjet Fuel Efficiency Working Group;

  • 2 % of 2,400,000 = 48,000 tonnes of CO₂

• Retrofitting B737-700 aircraft with blended winglets;

  • 2,400,000/103 (number of aircraft in fleet) = 23,301

  • 23,301 * 30 (number of retrofitted aircraft) = 699,030

  • 699,030 * 2.7 % = 18,874 tonnes of CO₂

• Engine washing program;

  • 1.2 % of 2,400,000 = 28,800 tonnes of CO₂

• Total Westjet Savings;

  • 48,000 + 18,874 + 28,800 = 95,674 tonnes of CO₂

• Total Air Canada Savings;

  • 318,000/7 = 45,429 tonnes of CO₂

ERE:

• Westjet Required Navigation Performance;

  • 1,900,000/1,027,821,192 *100 = 0.18 %

  • 2,400,000 * 0.18 % = 4,320 tonnes of CO₂.

• Collaborative Initiatives for Emission Reductions;

  • Westjet—2,400,000 * 1 % = 24,000 tonnes of CO₂

  • Air Canada—8,963,547 * 1 % = 89,635 tonnes of CO₂.

EFT:

• Air Canada: 8,963,547 − 45,429 − 89,635 = 8,828,483

• Westjet: 2,400,000 − 95,674 − 28,320 = 2,276,006

EFT as a % of EIO:

• Air Canada: 8,963,547/8,828,483 = 1.0153 %

• Westjet: 2,400,000/2,276,006 = 1.0545 %

Appendix B: Westjet Fleet Changes Calculations

• 2,400,000/103 (number of aircraft in fleet) = 23,301

• 23,301 * 5 (net change in aircraft) = 116,505

• 116,505 * 2 % = 2,330 tonnes of CO₂ reductions

Appendix C: Scatter Diagram