Sustainable aviation? Iberia’s actions to reduce the carbon footprint

“The aeronautical industry is in constant transformation because it is directly linked to the development of new technologies both for aircraft (new materials and engines, digitization of processes, etc.) as well as for the fuel that provides them with energy, such as sustainable fuels of aviation and, also, in the more distant future, the green hydrogen”, thus commented Teresa Parejo, director of sustainability of the Spanish airline, Iberia.

In virtual interview with The Economist from Madrid said that technological progress has allowed the evolution of the sector towards the sustainability. “The ecological transition of our activity would not be possible without the commitment to sustainable fuels, the investigation of systems that help improve the efficiency of our operations, and the search for lighter materials that can be reused in a waste management system. circular”.

He explained that these technologies are already a reality, although they are always looking to find those that make aviation possible. no emissions and fully sustainable. “An example of this evolution is the improvement in the efficiency of our transatlantic flights, which were made with four-engine aircraft and, in recent years, especially during the pandemic, have been replaced by twin-engine ones, until 35% more efficient than its predecessors, thanks to a firm commitment to renewing our fleet”.

What is Iberia’s project in terms of sustainability?

Iberia has implemented various initiatives related to the sustainabilityamong which stand:

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• The ecological transition, which includes all the decarbonisation initiatives or reduction of emissions. Among others, the main initiatives include the renewal of the fleet, the search for measures that favor the efficiency of operations or the promotion of the development and use of sustainable fuels and other technologies, among others.
• The second includes measures to generate an experience of more sustainable travel for customers, through the digitization of services, the progressive elimination of plastics on board, the development of the waste management system and the possibility of offsetting the carbon footprint of their flights for customers.
• There is a third pillar that includes training initiatives and awareness of the workforce in terms of sustainabilityso that they help the company to advance in the strategy, becoming true ambassadors of sustainability.
• The last pillar you have Iberiafocuses on the airline’s commitment to society, supporting R+D+i projects (Research, Development and Innovation) and giving value to its social impact.

Iberia actions in sustainability

Sustainability has become Iberia’s DNA, “in 2019 the IAG group became the first group of airlines in the world to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050thus aligning itself with the state of science and international and European treaties to combat climate change and ecological transition”, mentioned Teresa Parejo.

He said they are proud to fulfill the commitment to renew the fleet and for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, for its acronym in English). “Every time a new aircraft is incorporated, efficiency is gained significantly. For example, the A350 are up to 35% more efficient than the planes they replace, or the 320neo, which improve the efficiency of their predecessors by up to 15%. And as regards the development of SAFs, the Group’s commitment is clear and thus, in April 2021, IAG also became the first airline group in Europe to commit to operating 10% of its flights with SAFs. in the year 2030, exceeding the target set by European regulations for this purpose”.

What are Iberia’s growth expectations in Mexico?

“Mexico is one of the countries in which we have presented a further growth for this winter season, significantly increasing our capacity compared to what we had after the health crisis, which allowed us to return to the figures we had before the pandemic. Today, between Mexico City and Madridwe operate 21 weekly frequencieswhich means that we have three daily flights”, mentioned Parejo.

Iberia operates the route Mexico City and Madrid with the new A350 aircraft, which have the capacity to carry 348 people on board. They determined a code-share agreement with Viva Aerobús, which allows them to have connectivity for flights arriving from Madrid to 26 cities within the country, including Guadalajara, Cancún, Monterrey or Veracruz.

What group does Iberia belong to?

Iberia belongs to the airline group International Consolidated Airlines Group, better known as IAGwhich also includes British Airways, Vueling y Aer Lingus, and is part of the oneworld alliance and is the largest Spanish airline and leader between Europe and Latin America. IAG is listed on the Madrid Stock Exchange, with the ticker symbol IAG.

The Iberia airline, together with Iberia Express and Iberia Regional Air Nostrum, offers flights to 50 countries from the Madrid-Barajas airport, where it has developed a hub. In addition to passenger transport, Iberia has diversified its business with air cargo, aircraft maintenance and airport assistance.

Due to the strong restrictions that were implemented as a result of the health crisis, today traveling takes on greater importance in terms of people’s priorities.”

Teresa Parejo, director of sustainability of the Spanish airline, Iberia.

patricia.ortega@eleconomista.mx