Boeing will provide its Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor digital solution for the airline’s 787 fleet to optimize efficiency and reduce fuel consumption during its operations.
According to a statement issued by Etihad, «during a series of tests on several of its 787 Dreamliners, the airline found that the digital solution generated cruise fuel savings of 1.4%. This represented an average of 350 kilograms of fuel and 1100 kilograms of CO2 per flight.»
Both airlines have been working together to promote the sustainability of airline operations. In fact, Etihad Airways participates in Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program through which the first tests of the software to be implemented by the airline were conducted.
About Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor
«Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor analyzes aircraft-specific performance metrics for all Boeing aircraft, including changes over time with aircraft age and maintenance actions. The tool allows flight crews to make small, real-time adjustments to their heading, altitude, and speed to optimize fuel use and minimize the carbon footprint of each flight.»
Different players in the airline industry have been adopting different strategies to reduce the environmental impact of operations. Just as new zero-emission propulsion technologies are being developed and sustainable aviation fuels are being implemented. The adoption of efficiency improvement strategies represents an interesting alternative to save fuel and, therefore, emit less.
Sulaiman Yaqoobi, Etihad Airways’ vice president of flight operations, said, «FliteDeck Advisor was tested as part of the Etihad Greenliner program. It’s great to see it now implemented on the 787 fleet, helping Etihad achieve efficiency gains and reduce CO2 emissions (…) We are very pleased with the fuel and cost savings we have achieved with FliteDeck Advisor.»
Boeing’s strategy to decarbonize the aerospace industry focuses on four key areas. Those are:
- Encompassing fleet renewal
- Operational efficiency
- Renewable energy
- Advanced technology
«As part of the operational efficiency strategy, Boeing Global Services offers a portfolio of services that include data analysis tools to help customers discover cost or efficiency savings that reduce fuel consumption,» says the manufacturer.
In addition to Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor, Boeing provides Etihad with Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, Jeppesen Crew Rostering, and Boeing Wind Updates, which provide crew scheduling, charting navigation, and flight efficiency capabilities.