<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3txQD8_0uVsgEvI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3txQD8_0uVsgEvI00" width="1920" height="1280" ></figure>One of the largest challenges facing the aviation industry today is the increasing demand for fuel efficiency and sustainability. This demand comes from passengers looking to fly with airlines that are good corporate citizens, and initiatives within the larger aviation industry aimed at reducing carbon emissions.The need to make commercial aviation more sustainable led to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) setting a goal of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050. It also resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandating fuel-efficient technologies on airplanes manufactured after January 1, 2028.According to Mike Whitaker, Administrator at the FAA, “We are taking a large step forward to ensure the [manufacturing] of more fuel-efficient airplanes, reduce carbon pollution, and reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”Burning jet fuel releases CO2 into the atmosphere, increasing an airline’s carbon footprint. Jet fuel also accounts for one of the most significant operating costs for airlines. According to Jon Merritt, Associate Director of Flight Deck Solutions at Collins Aerospace, “Aircraft fuel and oil accounted for 28.7 percent of total airline costs [in a recent study].”While many may see this as an unfathomable challenge, it really is an opportunity – if airlines can burn less fuel, they can simultaneously increase their sustainability and profitability.<blockquote>“…if an airline were to fly 3,600 transcontinental flights per year, they could potentially recognize more than $1.5 million in total cost savings.” – Jon Merritt</blockquote>In a recent webinar, “Efficiency at Any Altitude: Enhancing Airline Operations,” Merritt joined Beth Krajewski, Value Stream Lead of FlightHub, to discuss how Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solutions and other state-of-the-art technologies can revolutionize the aviation industry by increasing fuel efficiency.During the webinar, they explained how a new generation of Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) and EFB solutions are helping airlines make smarter, more eco-friendly decisions that can also improve their profitability.Making smarter taxiing decisionsSustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for aircraft are expensive and hard to find. And the development of new aircraft that utilize cleaner, alternative fuels is still ongoing. So, how can airlines realistically become more fuel-efficient if they’re still going to be burning jet fuel in the foreseeable future?The most effective solution is for airlines to adopt systems that help reduce fuel consumption. This is where advanced artificial intelligence (AI) applications can help. These solutions can analyze real-time data and information to make recommendations that can be used to operate aircraft more sustainably.One of the most compelling ways these solutions can help increase sustainability is by enabling flight crews to make smarter decisions while taxiing. Most modern aircraft use multiple engines while in flight, but don’t necessarily need to use them all while taxiing.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=325RfC_0uVsgEvI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=325RfC_0uVsgEvI00" width="1000" height="563" ><figcaption>One of the most compelling ways these solutions can help increase sustainability is by enabling flight crews to make smarter decisions while taxiing.</figcaption></figure>“When pilots are taxiing, they’re often burning extra fuel using both engines instead of doing a single-engine taxi operation because they’re uncertain about the true taxi time,” explained Krajewski. “If a flight crew has more accurate data about when they’re taking off and how long they will taxi, they can more confidently pursue single engine taxi, saving jet fuel, decreasing carbon emissions, and saving the airline money.”Solutions like Collins Aerospace’s FlightHub Flight Profile Optimization (FPO) application, which integrates FlightAware data, can arm flight crews with predicted taxi times. This enables pilots to make smarter, more data-driven decisions about how many engines they use while taxiing.“Providing FlightAware predicted taxi times in advance enables pilots to confidently use [a] single engine taxi operation,” explained Krajewski. “This could result in significant savings.”Flying more optimal routesBut AI solutions can do more than enable more sustainable, informed taxiing decisions. They can help flight crews make smarter, more efficient flight path decisions as well.<blockquote>“FPO is continuously watching your flight and providing you further opportunities to optimize it. It’s analyzing the latest weather and wind information, along with special use airspace, to ensure that the route is efficient and safe.” – Beth Krajewski</blockquote>Collins FlightHub FPO application uses real-time data and a state-of-the-art algorithm to provide pilots and airline operation centers with alternative, optimized flight paths that are more efficient and sustainable.According to Krajewski, “FPO is continuously watching your flight and providing you further opportunities to optimize it. It’s analyzing the latest weather and wind information, along with special use airspace, to ensure that the route is efficient and safe.”By flying more optimal, efficient routes, airlines can reduce the amount of jet fuel burned during every flight, potentially decreasing carbon emissions and increasing profitability.And the savings can be significant, “For example, if an airline were to fly 3,600 transcontinental flights per year, they could potentially recognize more than $1.5 million in total cost savings,” notes Merritt. “That reduction comes from a half million gallons of jet fuel that [they’re] not burning—and also equates to twenty-five million pounds of CO2 that is not released [into] the atmosphere by [the] airline.”.</div></body>

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How Data and More Informed Decisions Can Increase Airline Fuel Efficiency

One of the largest challenges facing the aviation industry today is the increasing demand for fuel efficiency and sustainability. This demand comes from passengers looking to fly with airlines that are good corporate citizens, and initiatives within the larger aviation industry aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The need to make...