Lufthansa Cargo to be carbon neutral by 2050

Lufthansa Cargo has issued this report:

Scientifically based reduction targets of greenhouse gas emissions as basis for sustainability measures / Lufthansa Cargo presents Sustainability Update 2022

With the goal of achieving CO₂-neutrality by 2050, Lufthansa Cargo is on track to lead the aviation and cargo industry into a more sustainable future. To this end, as part of the Lufthansa Group, it relies on a measurable corporate commitment to sustainability on the basis of science-based targets for the reduction targets of greenhouse gas emissions. At the Sustainability Conference at Frankfurt Airport today, Lufthansa Cargo also presented its Sustainability Update 2022, which provides an overview of measures and projects already implemented on the way to CO₂ neutrality.

Lufthansa Cargo will derive its own emissions target from the Lufthansa Group’s validated science-based targets

The Lufthansa Group – and thus also Lufthansa Cargo – have set themselves ambitious climate protection targets: The goal is to halve net CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 and to achieve a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. In order to further specify these net targets and to expand the target system to include pure reduction targets, it has already joined the so-called “Science Based Target Initiative” (SBTi) in 2021 in order to bring its CO₂ reduction path into line with the United Nations’ Paris Climate Agreement. Based on scientific calculations, CO₂ emissions are continuously reduced with the help of fleet renewal and optimization, improved operational efficiency, and the use of sustainable aviation fuels. The official validation of these targets is imminent. For freighters, there will be a special sub-target.

The Science Based Targets Initiative only accepts emission reductions that are the result of fuel consumption reductions, for example through modern new aircraft, operational and airspace infrastructure measures, and the substitution of fossil fuel with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Dorothea von Boxberg, Chairperson of the Executive Board and CEO of Lufthansa Cargo: “Over the past 25 years, we have already been able to reduce our CO₂ footprint per ton kilometer by 52%. But that is still not enough. That is why we want to set ourselves ambitious targets for the future. With the ‘Science Based Targets Initiative’ we have found a credible, scientific basis for this. We want to be transparent about what we have achieved so far and just as open with our customers, partners and the public about how we can get even better.”

For Lufthansa Cargo, the efforts to achieve complete CO₂ neutrality focus primarily on five fields of action: continuous fleet modernization, more efficient use of fuels, the switch to more sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), CO₂ compensation projects in other sectors, and reduction of emissions on the ground.

Fleet modernization. Lufthansa Cargo is investing heavily in continuous fleet modernization. As a result, CO₂ emissions have already been reduced by 52% over the past 25 years. Since October 2021, Lufthansa Cargo has completely converted its fleet to Boeing 777F freighters – currently the most modern and efficient freighter with the best environmental balance. By 2030, Lufthansa Cargo will also receive up to 10 additional Boeing freighters, including seven 777-8F freighters, Boeing’s next-generation freighter. The Boeing 777-8F freighters will again significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.

Fuel efficiency. To ensure that conventional aviation fuel is used as efficiently as possible, thereby reducing the total amount required, Lufthansa Cargo is relying on various measures. For example, Lufthansa Cargo will successively equip all freighters with Sharkskin technology from 2022. The innovative AeroSHARK coating, which is modeled on a sharkskin, reduces the aircraft’s frictional resistance in the air by more than 1% and thus reduces fuel consumption. In the Lufthansa Cargo fleet, this can save around 3,700 tons of kerosene or almost 13,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. In addition, lightweight containers have been used exclusively in flight operations since 2020. This will result in a weight reduction of 14 kg per container and fuel savings of 2,160 tons per year. Weight reduction is also being pursued for other loading aids. Fuel is also saved thanks to optimized flight procedures.

Sustainable Aviation Fuels. Lufthansa Cargo is one of the pioneers in the use of SAF in the airfreight industry. More than 1% of Lufthansa Cargo’s fuel requirements in 2021 have already been covered by Sustainable Aviation Fuels. The airfreight company also currently offers the only regular full-charter cargo connection worldwide that is 100% covered by SAF. This saves around 174 tons of conventional kerosene each week. Since October 2021, Lufthansa Cargo has also been one of the first customers of the world’s first power-to-liquid fuel plant in Emsland, Lower Saxony. Together with one of its customers, Lufthansa Cargo has committed to purchasing at least 20 tons (=25,000 liters) of the synthetic, CO₂-neutral crude oil annually over the next five years in order to further advance the innovative power-to-liquid technology as well as the use and further development of sustainable aviation fuels.

Lufthansa Cargo presented the measures it has taken and the successes it has achieved so far at its Sustainability Conference at Frankfurt Airport on Thursday, July 14. Keynote speakers included Dorothea von Boxberg (CEO of Lufthansa Cargo), Dr. Sabine Mauderer (Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Bundesbank), Marc Buckley (Environmentalist, Ecological Economist, UN Advocate and Advisor) and Matthias Kopp (Director Sustainable Finance, WWF Germany). Together with numerous customers, current issues around the topic of sustainability were also discussed. Lufthansa Cargo will regularly supplement its update on sustainability and report on the interim goals achieved. As soon as the concrete science-based targets for the Lufthansa Group have been validated, the designated targets for cargo aircraft contained in them will also be made available to the public.

Lufthansa Cargo aircraft photo gallery:

Condor flies to Iceland for the first time

Condor has made this announcement:

Welcome to the land of fire and ice: Germany’s most popular leisure airline is bringing travellers to Iceland for the first time. From May 2023, Condor will be offering one overnight flight per week from Frankfurt to Akureyri in the north and to Egilsstaðir in the east of Iceland. This will be the first time the island state is on Condor’s flight schedule and with that, the airline will add two attractive destinations in the north to its portfolio.

So far, Akureyri and Egilsstaðir are accessible via domestic flights and by car and bus. The two towns are located on the ring road that runs once around the island, making them popular starting points for round trips. Akureyri is the fourth largest city in Iceland and is located on the shore of a fjord that extends far into the country.

Popular destinations are the waterfalls Aldeyjarfoss and Goðafoss, Lake Mývatn with its numerous lava formations and the village of Húsavík for whale watching. Egilsstaðir, as the largest town in the area, opens the east of Iceland. From there the spectacular Stuðlagil canyon and Hafrahvammagljúfur canyon in the Eastern Highlands can be explored, as well as one of Iceland’s tallest waterfalls, Hengifoss. The magnificent Eastfjords, that stretch all the way south to the picturesque Eystrahorn offer a scenic coastline with numerous small villages and narrow fjords, perfect for exploring authentic Icelandic everyday life. The region has beautiful nature and wildlife, Hallormsstaðaskógur is the country’s largest forest, and the area is home to wild reindeer and puffins that come to nest by the coast every summer.

Condor aircraft photo gallery:

Emirates statement on operations at London Heathrow

Emirates values our partnerships with airport stakeholders across our network with whom we engage continuously, and collaboratively, to secure our flight operations and ensure minimal customer disruption, particularly over the peak travel months.

It is therefore highly regrettable that LHR last evening gave us 36 hours to comply with capacity cuts, of a figure that appears to be plucked from thin air. Their communications not only dictated the specific flights on which we should throw out paying passengers, but also threatened legal action for non-compliance.

This is entirely unreasonable and unacceptable, and we reject these demands.

At London Heathrow airport (LHR), our ground handling and catering – run by dnata, part of the Emirates Group – are fully ready and capable of handling our flights. So the crux of the issue lies with the central services and systems which are the responsibility of the airport operator.

Emirates is a key and steadfast operator at LHR, having reinstated 6 daily A380 flights since October 2021. From our past 10 months of regularly high seat loads, our operational requirements cannot be a surprise to the airport.

Now, with blatant disregard for consumers, they wish to force Emirates to deny seats to tens of thousands of travellers who have paid for, and booked months ahead, their long-awaited package holidays or trips to see their loved ones. And this, during the super peak period with the upcoming UK holidays, and at a time when many people are desperate to travel after 2 years of pandemic restrictions.

Emirates believes in doing the right thing by our customers. However, re-booking the sheer numbers of potentially impacted passengers is impossible with all flights running full for the next weeks, including at other London airports and on other airlines. Adding to the complexity, 70% of our customers from LHR are headed beyond Dubai to see loved ones in far flung destinations, and it will be impossible to find them new onward connections at short notice.

Moving some of our passenger operations to other UK airports at such short notice is also not realistic. Ensuring ground readiness to handle and turnaround a widebody long-haul aircraft with 500 passengers onboard is not as simple as finding a parking spot at a mall.

The bottomline is, the LHR management team are cavalier about travellers and their airline customers. All the signals of a strong travel rebound were there, and for months, Emirates has been publicly vocal about the matter. We planned ahead to get to a state of readiness to serve customers and travel demand, including rehiring and training 1,000 A380 pilots in the past year.

LHR chose not to act, not to plan, not to invest. Now faced with an “airmageddon” situation due to their incompetence and non-action, they are pushing the entire burden – of costs and the scramble to sort the mess – to airlines and travellers.

The shareholders of London Heathrow should scrutinise the decisions of the LHR management team.

Given the tremendous value that the aviation community generates for the UK economy and communities, we welcome the action taken by the UK Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority to seek information from LHR on their response plans, systems resilience, and to explain the seemingly arbitrary cap of 100,000 daily passengers. Considering LHR handled 80.9 million passengers annually in 2019, or a daily average of 219,000, the cap represents greater than a 50% cut at a time when LHR claims to have 70% of ground handling resources in place.

Until further notice, Emirates plans to operate as scheduled to and from LHR.

Emirates aircraft photo gallery:

airBaltic reduces business class fares, introduces “Business Light”

airBaltic has introduced a new ticket type – Business Light. It offers passengers a full on board business class experience as well as select flexibility options for a more affordable price.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “As an innovative airline we always strive to revise our products to meet the changing needs of our customers. The newly introduced ticket type provides the passenger all of the services traditionally associated with business class, and will increase our competitiveness in the European aviation market. We expect that it will be popular also among leisure travellers.”

On board, our cabin crew offer Business Light passengers a dedicated, personal service and serve a seasonal three-course meal as well as offer a wide selection of beverages. Business Light passengers can check in for the flight at a separate registration counter, use fast track airport security line and spend time in business lounge.

airBaltic allows Business Light passengers to carry extra baggage – both in the cabin as well as checked in bags. In contrast to Business class tickets, if a Business Light passenger has a change of plans, these options are available under different terms.

airBaltic aircraft photo gallery:

Jet2 now has 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft on order

Jet2 has confirmed it now has 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft on order, up from 57.

This would indicate the company has turned three options into firm order.

Jet2 aircraft photo gallery:

Jetlines completes its demonstration flights for Transport Canada

Canada Jetlines Operations Ltd., the new all-Canadian leisure airline, has announced the successful completion of all demonstration flights for Transport Canada in the process to obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

On July 5, 2022, Canada Jetlines operated a flight from the Region of Waterloo International airport to Greater Moncton Roméo Leblanc International airport and back, to the satisfaction of Transport Canada inspectors.

Alaska Airlines to explore fossil-free jet fuel made from CO2

Alaska Airlines made this announcement:

Carbon transformation company Twelve, Alaska Air Group Inc., and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing the market for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) to include fuels derived from recaptured CO₂ and renewable energy, and working toward the first commercial demonstration flight in the United States powered by Twelve’s E-Jet^®.

Through the first-of-its-kind agreement, Twelve, Alaska, and Microsoft will work to advance production and use of Twelve’s E-Jet^®, a low carbon jet fuel produced by a power-to-liquids process leveraging the company’s carbon transformation technology, which uses only renewable energy, water, and CO₂ as inputs to transform CO₂ into a variety of critical chemicals and materials conventionally made from fossil fuels. As part of the work outlined to advance the scalability and use of the technology, the companies will work toward a demonstration flight using E-Jet^®, and to supply the fuel to address some of Microsoft’s business travel on Alaska.

“By producing our drop-in E-Jet^® fuel from captured CO₂, we can rapidly and efficiently close the carbon cycle and allow businesses to sustainably use emissions to power their own business travel,”. said Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder and CEO of Twelve. “Partnering with progress-minded brands like Alaska Airlines and Microsoft adds thrust as we work towards delivering industrial-scale volumes of E-Jet^®.”

“Alaska is on a path to net zero by 2040, which will require sustainable aviation fuels like Twelve’s E-Jet^®,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, senior vice president of public affairs and sustainability at Alaska Airlines. “We are committed to making SAF more widely available, at an affordable price, helping bring new alternatives to market, and using these fuels in our operation – a path that requires public policy action and private partnerships like this one. We’re excited to work with Twelve and Microsoft to advance Twelve’s E-Jet^® fuel, turning captured CO₂ and renewable energy into fuel for our airplanes.”

“Addressing emissions from the economy’s hardest-to-abate sectors, such as aviation, will take commitment from all stakeholders,” said Elizabeth Willmott, Carbon Program Director at Microsoft. “Building on our Climate Innovation Fund investment in Twelve and relationship with Alaska Airlines, this collaboration provides an opportunity to accelerate decarbonization in the aviation industry by exploring how to use low carbon fuels produced by renewable electricity, like Twelve’s E-Jet^®.”

Produced using Twelve’s carbon transformation technology and in partnership with Emerging Fuels Technology, E-Jet^® is a fuel with over 80 percent lower lifecycle emissions. Transitioning to E-Jet will not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but will release fewer particulates and reduce impacts on neighboring communities. In March, Shopify, one of the largest corporate purchasers of long-term carbon removal, announced the first purchase of E-Jet^® through the company’s Sustainability Fund.

SAF is a core part of Alaska’s five-part pathway to net zero by 2040. Since 2010, Alaska has worked with various public and private partners to advance public policies needed to jumpstart the nascent SAF market, create new offtake agreements and cultivate partnerships to accelerate market development. Alaska was also a founding member of the Aviators Group of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Buyers Alliance, announced at COP26, bringing an operator’s perspective to collaborations driving demand and supply.

Alaska Airlijnes aircraft photo gallery:

Lufthansa recommends arriving at the airport in good time and using digital services

Lufthansa, like other European airlines, is dealing with challenging times as traffic returns to near-normal levels. The airlinje issued this recommendation:

The entire aviation industry is currently suffering from bottlenecks and staff shortages. This affects in particular airports, ground handling services, air traffic control and airlines. Lufthansa has implemented numerous measures to ensure the greatest possible stability of the flight schedule. Nevertheless, there are currently longer waiting times. For the upcoming summer holidays in Hesse, Lufthansa therefore asks its passengers to arrive at the airports in good time and to follow the instructions of the airport operators.

Online services & checking of entry documents

In the interest of the fastest and smoothest possible processes, Lufthansa asks passengers to use the digital online services. Digital check-in is possible from 23 hours before departure. Travelers are also requested to inform themselves in good time about the current entry requirements of their destination country. For some countries, it is still necessary to have proof of Corona-related documents checked before departure and to present an entry declaration upon entry. For this purpose, the free digital document check service can be used between 72 hours and 8 hours before departure. In this way, travelers will find out at an early stage whether their documents are valid or whether urgent action is required.

Baggage

There are numerous baggage machines available to passengers at Frankfurt Airport. First, travelers can print out their baggage labels at separate machines and attach them to their luggage. Then they check in their suitcases or bags at the baggage drop-off. There they will also receive all the receipts for the checked baggage, which should be kept carefully until arrival. Hand luggage should be reduced to the bare minimum to avoid long waiting times at the security checkpoints.

Further services

Lufthansa offers special services for families: Parents with small children can use the family check-in areas in Frankfurt. Lufthansa employees accept baggage and prams at special counters in Hall A. However, it is always advisable to reserve seats and to use the online check-in from 23 hours before departure. Further information is available at: Travelling with Children | Lufthansa.

Passengers will be informed immediately in the event of cancellations and, if possible, rebooked on alternative flights. Alternatively, they can travel to the airports within Germany by train. Passengers whose journey is affected by a rebooking or cancellation before departure can also cancel their booking and have it refunded on Lufthansa.com. Travelers can find current information and general flight information at any time on Lufthansa.com.

Travelers can find up-to-date information and general flight information at any time on the special page Current flight information | Lufthansa.

Lufthansa aircraft photo gallery:

Boeing is encouraged with an uptick in deliveries

The Boeing Company has announced major program deliveries across its commercial and defense operations for the second quarter of 2022.

The company will provide detailed second quarter financial results on July 27. Major program deliveries during the second quarter were as follows:

Major Programs		2nd Quarter 2022	Year-to- Date 2022

Commercial Airplanes Programs
	737	103	189
	747	2	3
	767	7	12
	777	9	12
	787	—	—
Total		121	216

Defense, Space & Security Programs
	AH-64 Apache (New)	6	13
	AH-64 Apache (Remanufactured)	13	28
	CH-47 Chinook (New)	5	9
	CH-47 Chinook (Renewed)	1	4
	F-15 Models	4	5
	F/A-18 Models	4	8
	KC-46 Tanker	4	8
	P-8 Models	3	6

Note: Delivery information is not considered final until quarterly financial results are issued.

Brussels Airlines once again flies passengers to Tomorrowland in Boom

Brussels Airlines made this announcement:

After a two-year hiatus, Brussels Airlines is finally back to bringing nearly 25,000 festivalgoers of more than 130 nationalities to Tomorrowland in Boom. As of July 13, 2022, more than 175 flights will depart from 69 different airports to Brussels Airport, where passengers will already feel the rhythm of the festival thanks to DJ sets amongst others.

For the 16^th edition of the world’s best music festival, 600,000 festivalgoers from more than 200 different countries will unite in Boom for three weekends of Tomorrowland, this year in the theme “The Reflection of Love.” More than 700 artists are programmed across 14 stages.

Brussels Airlines brings the world to Belgium and Boom

Brussels Airlines sold nearly 13,000 flight packages to music fans flying out of 69 different airports to Belgium for the festival, accounting for nearly 25,000 Tomorrowland passengers travelling to and from Brussels on more than 350 Brussels Airlines flights. Ten flights will be transformed into exclusive #TMLpartyflights with a live DJ set at an altitude of ten kilometres. The very first party flight brought the first festivalgoers from Oslo to Brussels yesterday evening, 13 July, in the company of the British DJ duo Goodboys. To immediately get into the mood, festivalgoers in Oslo were treated to the first of eight gate parties.

For the fourth time, Amare is bringing music lovers from around the world to Tomorrowland. Amare is one of Brussels Airlines’ five Belgian Icons, an Airbus A320 dedicated to Tomorrowland. The aircraft is painted on the outside with a gigantic eagle, and also brings the Tomorrowland atmosphere inside thanks to mood lighting and a Bose music system.

In total, 46,000 Global Journey packages were sold to festivalgoers of 133 nationalities. The five most common nationalities are American (almost 12%), German (10.5%), Spanish (over 7%), French and British (both just over 6%). Noteworthy is that 2% of the travellers are of Belgian nationality.

Brussels Airport to the rhythm of Tomorrowland

The unique Tomorrowland atmosphere continues upon arrival at and departure from Brussels Airport. Since mid-June a beautiful Tomorrowland globe was set up on the curb (the area between the departure hall and the car park), which lights up and spins at night.

On July 18 and 25 and August 1, DJs will be performing in the airport between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. (at Beers & Cheers, Pier A). In addition to the live music, passengers can find the clothing line by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike in the Fashion Boutique while cosmetics by Anouk Matton will be for sale in the Aelia Duty Free shop (Pier A).

Nearly three hundred Brussels Airlines’ volunteers ensure the ultimate Tomorrowland experience

As every year, Brussels Airlines is inviting everyone to take a free ride on the Ferris wheel on the festival grounds, with a stunning view of the fairy-tale landscape of Tomorrowland and beyond.

The airline’s employees will also be present at the service desk at the festival site, so that passengers can make adjustments to their flight or get the right information about their trip right away and at the festival.

In order to offer its passengers a carefree return journey after a fantastic Tomorrowland experience, Brussels Airlines has once again set up a mobile bag drop-off at the DreamVille campsite. Partygoers travelling back by plane can already check in their luggage at the campsite and therefore do not have to carry their suitcases and tents to the airport themselves.