Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has introduced a series of initiatives which will result in an annual reduction of around 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its aircraft.

The significant fuel reductions are expected from the proactive initiatives being rolled out by the Gulf Air fuel conservation committee, which is exclusively charged with looking at ways for the airline to reduce its carbon foot print.

“As a pioneering airline in the region, Gulf Air believes it can play a positive role in protecting the environment and help build a better future for our children, the local community and the world,” said Samer Majali, Gulf Air chief executive officer.

“What better occasion there can be than announcing our comprehensive carbon-emission reduction measures, when countries of the world have converged in Copenhagen to discuss climate change?” he added.

Majali continued: “As a responsible corporate citizen we are fully committed to this global cause and these are some of our proactive measures towards this commitment. Besides, as a long-standing member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), we are in tune with the world body’s commitment to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020.”

One of the key initiatives the airline has introduced to reduce fuel consumption include flying a more direct route to certain destinations resulting in the reduction of around 22,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

In another initiative, the airline has combined the two in-flight magazines, Gulf Life and the in-flight entertainment guide, On Air into one magazine. The new look, Gulf Life magazine, is being produced using a slightly lower weight (gsm) paper to reduce the overall weight carried on board.

In addition, the airline will reduce the number of spare in-flight magazines carried on board and instead make provision for storage and replenishment on the ground at its Bahrain hub and outstations. The combined benefit of these measures will result in the reduction of approximately 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per year.

In another environment-friendly measure, Gulf Air has also reduced the amount of potable water it carries on board its flights by 25 per cent, which will save around 1,800 tons of carbon emissions each year.

Other fuel conservation measures include reduced contingency fuel, acceleration height management and flight spare kit weight reduction that will together save approximately 8300 tonnes of CO2 emission- all intended to improve efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of flight safety and schedule reliability.

Captain Nasser Al Salmi, chief operating officer and chair of the fuel conversation committee said: “We have an objective to conduct all our operations with a genuine, balanced and proper regard for the need to sustain natural resources.

“From reducing the weight of our in-flight magazine to investing in clean-air technology, we are looking at every single area of our operations to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help maintain a better environment in accordance with international standards and regulations related to environmental protection.”

Recently, the airline has also chosen the most fuel-efficient options to power its new fleet. The A320 Airbus aircraft on order - three of which that already joined the fleet - will be powered by CFM56-5B engine that will reduce emissions by 200 tonnes per aircraft per year.

Following the signing of a pledge in October 2008, Gulf Air is also working with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group on commercialization, certification, and provision of a viable market in order to accelerate the development of alternative fuels. – TradeArabia News Service