Iberia reduces its CO2 emissions the most on long-haul flights

Since 2019 Iberia has reduced its emissions by 17 percent, according to the study conducted by IBA Insight.

This improvement is driven by the renewal of the fleet – above all, by the incorporation of the new Airbus A350 for long-haul routes – and different operational and weight reduction measures on board.

Iberia's sustainability strategy is based on four pillars to advance the decarbonisation of the aviation sector

 

Iberia is the second airline in the world that has reduced its CO2 emissions the most on long-haul flights, according to the report prepared by the independent aviation consultancy IBA, which carries out the annual monitoring of more than 65,000 aircraft and 35 million flights.

According to this report, since 2019 Iberia has reduced its CO2 emissions by 17% per seat-kilometre on its long-haul flights, which:

According to ATAG, air transport represents 2.1 percent of global emissions and, within that, flights of more than 1,500 kilometres account for 80% of emissions, so it is especially relevant to increase efficiency on these routes.

The IBA report attributes this decrease of Iberia in its CO2 emissions, to the fleet renewal that the Spanish airline has carried out and that began in 2013, with the incorporation of the first twin-engine aircraft - the Airbus A330/300 - into its long-haul fleet. In 2018, the Airbus A350 began to arrive and in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Iberia decided to advance the withdrawal of the Airbus A340/600, the last four-engine aircraft with which it operated its long-haul routes.

 

Fleet renewal is key to the decarbonisation of the sector

As there has been a gradual recovery of its flight schedule, Iberia has resumed its aircraft delivery schedule and, so far this year, Iberia has already received three A350s and five A320neos. The incorporation of these two models and the withdrawal of the A340 from its fleet, in the summer of 2020, has significantly reduced fuel consumption. Currently, the entire Iberia long-haul fleet is composed of twin-engine aircraft (A330 and A350), which means a reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the A340s that operated with four engines.

The A350 model is the quietest on the market and, in addition, between 30 and 35 percent more efficient in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, thanks to the latest generation materials with which it is built and the advanced design of its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

The A320neo is the most technologically advanced and efficient aircraft in Iberia's short- and medium-haul fleet. Equipped with Leap-1A type CFM engines, it is 50% quieter and between 15% and 20% more environmentally friendly, as it emits 5,000 tons less CO2 per year and 50% less NOx.

 

The sustainability strategy, at the heart of the company

The decarbonisation of the aviation sector is complex, but the industry currently has solutions that can show an almost immediate impact on the road to the ecological transition. In addition, the renewal of the fleet, the increase in efficiency in operations and the use of aviation fuels of sustainable origin, are other initiatives that Iberia is implementing in its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

These initiatives are part of Iberia's strategy to advance the decarbonization of the airline sector and the airline is developing on four pillars:

The ecological transition of the aviation sector, which includes all the initiatives of fleet renewal, more efficient operations and use of sustainable aviation fuels, among other initiatives.

The creation of a more sustainable travel experience for customers, through the digitalization of services, the progressive elimination of plastics on board, the development of its waste management system and the compensation of the carbon footprint.

Training, awareness and participation in sustainability of Iberia employees, with the aim of making them ambassadors of its strategy.

Commitment to society, valuing everything that aviation brings to society through connectivity, and support for R&D&I research with the Iberia Chair.

 

Social and environmental sustainability is also one of the pillars in Iberia's strategic plan for the next three years - Next Chapter - which, with the commitment of its employees, will allow the airline to ensure its financial strength, position itself as the airline of choice among travellers, strengthen its position in the Madrid hub and advance in the ecological transition of the air sector.