SriLankan flying green
It is important to convert our operations to eco friendly operations
as an airline and we are planning to covert all our flights to
environmental friendly flights within two years, CEO SriLankan Airlines
Manoj Gunawardena said at the launch of first SriLankan Green Flight to
Frankfurt.
This is part of our obligations to meet certain compliances made by
European Union and IATA to minimize the environmental impact by the
global aviation industry. Transforming to eco friendly operations will
financially benefit the airline in long term periods.
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Manoj Gunawardena |
This initiative helps the airline to use its recourses efficiently
and avoid unnecessary cost, which will heavily contribute for the
company’s profits.
The airline adopted a formal environmental policy last January. The
company’s success in increasing fuel efficiency of its aircraft fleet
through the adoption of best practices has drawn the attention of the
industry.
SriLankan formed a fuel efficiency department last July and has since
increased its fuel efficiency by an impressive average of 3.91 percent
per month up to end January. In real terms, the airline has saved a
staggering 2.38 miilion US gallons of fuel over seven months.
There are three phases in the airline go green project. The first
step is to reduce resources used during the flight operations and
reducing noise pollution and emission. We are still at this stage.
Second stage is to switching resources which have less impact on
environment and the final phase will be offset, he said.
However to convert completely to an eco friendly operations may take
time so it is important to educate our passengers on environmental
friendly travel practices, Gunawardena said.
The first green flight UL 557 is a low tech green flight which has a
maximum use of recyclable materials for meals using biodegradable and
recyclable plastic items.
Waste inside the flight was separated in the aircraft to be deposed
of in the Frankfurt airport management system and the duty free bags
were recycled. Even the weight of magazines carried on board is been
reduced.
For the passengers, the experience began with a special green counter
at BIA and paperless ticketing. Even the vehicles used for support
services for the aircraft at BIA were certified as environmental
friendly. Passengers who follow environmental friendly travel practices
were given gifts by the cabin crew in the flight. AS |
