Environmental Responsibility

• We orientate ourselves on the guiding principles of sustainable business

We use energy and raw materials as little as possible, use renewable resources effectively and try to minimise the environmental impact as much as possible. In doing so we want to satisfy the expectations of our employees, partners and customers regarding safety, environmental responsibility, profitability, quality and comfort.

• We consider the effects on the environment before taking decisions

During our business decision-making process, considering the effects on the environment is an essential part.

• We take the environmental effects of our business seriously

We systematically record our environmental footprint, evaluate it and derive from it aims and measures to improve.

• Protecting the environment is a job for everyone

Austrian promotes its employee’s environmental knowledge with constant information and training.

• We always want to be better

We want to do more than adhering to environmental laws, regulations and rules and as part of our business possibilities we use the latest technology in order to reduce the negative impact of our business on the environment.

• Environmental protection requires innovation

Innovation is implemented at Austrian Airlines by implementing creative ideas from the staff.

• Our environmental responsibility is also applicable to our surroundings

Adherence to environmental regulations is one of the deciding factors when we choose our partners. We inform our customers and supplies about our environmental activities and give them suggestions on how they can support us with our efforts.

• Our principle is openness

We take the concerns about the environmental effects of our business seriously and hold constructive and honest conversations with our stakeholders.

Austrian Airlines recognises its responsibility to the environment and is focused on achieving the goals of the International Air Transport Association IATA:

• By 2020: Yearly improvement of fuel efficiency by 1.5%
• From 2020: Air travel should continue to grow only on a CO₂-neutral basis
• By 2050: Halving of CO₂ emissions compared to 2005

In order to achieve these ambitious environmental goals, Austrian Airlines builds on the following four pillars:

Technological progress

With fleet upgrades (e.g. 21 Fokker replaced by 17 Embraer in 2017), on-going engine efficiency improvement or improved approach processes we are always striving to improve our fuel efficiency.

Operational measures

We are constantly working towards making our flight processes more efficient – for example employing the latest flight management systems to optimise the use of winds at high altitude or improving aerodynamics through the systematic loading of the aircraft.

Efficient infrastructure

Merging European air traffic control and thereby ensuring optimum utilisation of the airspace through the “Single European Sky” project has long been a goal of the European Commission. This being implemented will enable Europe to save up to 10 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – this is equivalent to the emissions of the entire Austrian Airlines fleet over five years.

Financial tools

Austrian Airlines has been taking part in the European Emissions Trading System for many years and in 2016 welcomed the decision taken by countries at a UN level to adopt the global CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) system. This means that from 2021 CO₂ emissions in international aviation will be offset by CO₂ savings in climate-protection projects.

Fuel Efficiency

At the beginning of 2013, a special team was set up to identify and implement various projects on fuel efficiency in close collaboration with the group's parent company Lufthansa. For example, reducing the number of newspapers on board, replacing carpets and life-jackets with lighter models, as well as removing the coffee machines on board.

Energy Audit/Environmental Management System

In 2019 Austrian Airlines carried out its second energy audit in accordance with the Federal Energy Efficiency Law (Bundes-Energieeffizienzgesetz). The implementation of an Environmental/Energy Management System is planned.

Fly Greener

This expanded initiative starting in 2014 with Lufthansa and 2017 with Austrian Airlines gives flight attendants better knowledge about sustainable behaviour and ensures that the effect is multiplied for sustainable awareness. This means the numerous innovations contribute to the reduction of energy consumption as well improving the amount of waste.

ReOil®

Austrian flight attendants have been collecting the used plastic cups on board since October 2018, these then undergo a special process carried out at OMV to turn them into crude oil. With this measure, up to 100 tonnes of waste is saved each year and completely recycled.

Voluntary offsetting for passengers

Austrian Airlines’ passengers can contribute voluntarily to carbon offsetting when buying their tickets, the money goes to climate-protection projects offsetting the CO₂ emissions. The flight’s emissions are calculated by the CO₂ calculator offered by Climate Austria, which is available at www.climateaustria.com. With the help of these donations, a biomass plant, photovoltaic plant as well as a small hydro plant and a wind plant have already been set up.

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• Sustainability report “Balance” 2019 of the Lufthansa Group
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• Environmental programme 2019 (pdf) 
• Register of rights as at 09/2016 (pdf) 
• Internal waste logistics (pdf)
• Waste rights register (pdf) 
• Disposal companies list 2018 (pdf)

CI-Ops E95

The flight plan is prepared in advance based on variables such as weather, load factors and routing. During the flights these parameters may change, therefore airlines use software to continuously optimise the flight parameters (cruise altitude, airspeed, engine power settings). There is currently no flight planning software installed in the 17 Embraer 195 aircraft. New software is being installed in the Embraer 195 aircraft to improve routing. This measure will lead to a reduction in fuel usage across the fleet.

Flight Profile Optimizer

The flight plan is prepared in advance based on variables such as weather, load factors and routing. During the flights these parameters may change, therefore airlines use permanent software to continuously optimise the flight parameters (cruise altitude, airspeed). In long-haul aircraft this software is already available. Additional software to optimise the flight routing is more precise compared to current systems and can optimise this further. This measure will lead to a reduction in fuel usage across the fleet.

Scavenge Pump

The installation of a fuel scavenge pump in the B777 will lead to a reduction in the amount of unusable fuel. The manufacturer, Boeing, requires as per its design, a minimum amount of fuel in the tank of 320 kg, this amount can be reduced if the fuel can be pumped out totally (e.g. using an additional pump). Such a pump is installed in five Boeing 777 thus reducing the net weight of the aircraft and leading to fuel savings.

E195 Wheel Fairing Modification

With the introduction of wheel fairing modifications on the Embraer 195’s landing gear drag from the air can be reduced. The wheel fairings of the Embraer 195 remain open, as per their design, during flight, causing drag on the aircraft as it flies. 17 Embraer 195 aircraft are expected to be fitted with wheel fairing modifications reducing the aircraft’s drag which will lead to a reduction in fuel usage.

APU & Engines

Simultaneous use of the main engines and the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) causes an increased demand for fuel. To reduce using them both at the same time, modifications on the aircraft are necessary. Parallel operation of the main engines and the APU is possible even without technical necessity. Following landing and after the prescribed cooling-down time (3 minutes) one of the two engines is shut down when taxiing to the gate in order to save fuel. To do this, the APU must be started in order to maintain full functionality of the fire extinguishing equipment of the engine that is still running. New wiring for the fire extinguishing equipment is therefore necessary. With the new process, an average of four minutes APU time per flight is saved, or annually 504 t across the entire Airbus fleet.

Electric Shuttlebus

For the transport of flight crew around the airport, crew shuttlebuses are used. There are currently 16 Mercedes Sprinter 516 being used, the buses are being modified for use as public transport. The vehicles cover a maximum of 100 km every day and need servicing every 10,000 km (normal maintenance interval 60,000 km), their fuel efficiency is approx. 30–35 litres diesel/100 km. With the introduction of electric shuttle buses, Lufthansa can comfortably reach its aim of CO₂ neutrality by 2030 in ground operations. The energy costs (diesel vs electric) are reduced by around 80% and the operating costs (maintenance of the exhaust gas purifiers) can also be reduced just as significantly. The available models fulfil all requirements as the conventional vehicles. Additional loading possibilities for the vehicles is to be set up on site.

Electric cars

In the „Pool-PKW“ vehicle fleet for the technical base, there are 19 vehicles available. The cars are used predominantly for employees to move around the airport. The mileage of the cars is approximately 3,500 km/year, due to the short distances and low speeds, monthly maintenance is needed on the exhaust particle filters. Additionally, the specific consumption is considered high (e.g. Skoda Octavia 15 litre/100 km). With the introduction of electric cars, Lufthansa can comfortably reach its aim of CO₂ neutrality by 2030 in ground operations. The energy costs (diesel vs electric) are reduced by around 80% and the operating costs (maintenance of the exhaust gas purifiers) can also be reduced just as significantly. The available models fulfil all requirements as the conventional vehicles. Additional loading possibilities for the vehicles is to be set up on site.

In general Austrian Airlines implements energy efficiency measures using its own personnel for Operation Efficiency and Eurowings Europe works with Lufthansa’s department.

Measures in ground-related mobility will in the future require comprehensive monitoring and have the potential to bring big savings by using electric vehicles since maintenance work and energy consumption can be significantly reduced.

Employees will be continuously informed about sustainability activities using screens and broadcasts and are in a good position regarding efficient energy use.

Implementation of the above-mentioned measures is expected in accordance with the following time plan.