Dubai: Emirates, which has one of the world's youngest fleets, will try a new fuel-saving programme as it conducts the longest green journey on December 15 with its Dubai-San Francisco flight.
Emirates said it worked closely with government agencies in Dubai, Russia, Iceland, Canada, the United States and other countries to plot what it called the 'Environment Flight'.
The flight has been described as "the most environmentally-sophisticated route and trip possible to help save an estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions on the 16-hour non-stop service."
The airline will use the new Boeing 777-200LR to service the San Francisco-Dubai route as part of the airline's multi-billion dollar investment in economic and environmental efficiencies.
The programme will represent the world's first cross-polar green flight, Emirates said in a statement.
"After months of planning, Emirates' environment flight is a best-practice trial of how airlines, governments, manufacturers, technology providers and airports can work together to be as eco-efficient as possible," said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group.
The inaugural green flight will demonstrate multiple fuel and emission-saving measures.
The new 777-200LR will be specially washed before the flight to minimise drag, and it will use electrical power on the ground in Dubai rather than its auxiliary power unit.
Dubai Air Traffic Control will give the plane priority clearance for both taxiing and departure.
A pre-planned priority departure route out of Dubai will provide an unimpeded climb through to cruise altitude, allowing the plane to reach optimum cruise altitude as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Global cooperation
Recent negotiations with the Russian government will allow for a preferred route over Russian and Canadian airspace for the most efficient path, taking into account prevailing winds and the aircraft's weight.
Real time updates of current weather and wind conditions will allow the flight crew to modify their flight path enroute.
The aircraft will use minimal thrust on landing and a single-engine taxi to its gate.
All onboard glass, newspapers, aluminium and paper will be collected for recycling.
Shaikh Ahmad said the inaugural San Francisco flight would be a dual milestone and would also demonstrate Emirates' competency in environmental efficiency.
"We have made a multi-billion-dollar investment in new state-of-the-art eco-efficient aircraft, and the flight will help us to further improve our environmental performance," Shaikh Ahmad said.
