Viva, Colombia’s leading low-cost airline, announced that it will implement new technologies to optimize its fuel consumption and reduce emissions from its operations. It will be the first airline in the region to use General Electric’s Flight Pulse and Fuel Insight platforms.
According to the company, both applications will enable it to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 42% during take-off and landing. Developed by pilots, they work by collecting operational data, both from the aircraft and from each crew member’s personal flight history. Through individual and joint analysis, they can be used to detect areas to be optimized in each phase of the flight.
The design of data-driven technologies for performance improvement is a growing trend in the industry. According to the company, the adoption of the new platforms will allow it to «continue to be the airline with the lowest unit cost per passenger in the world».
«At Viva, we are standard-bearers of sustainability and good environmental practices for the airline industry», said Felix Antelo, CEO and President of Grupo Viva. According to the executive, technology is a «great ally» in the process of reducing the environmental impact of its flights.
«We will be able to standardize our fuel use policies and clearly delimit every opportunity for efficiency, without affecting our operational safety at any time, and offering better prices and better experiences to our travelers», he added.
Viva currently operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft. Its future plans include the acquisition of new A320neo aircraft, which offer considerable fuel savings and lower operating costs compared to previous models of the family.
On average, the latest version of the European manufacturer’s popular narrow-body aircraft emits around 15% less carbon dioxide emissions. It is also more efficient in terms of nitrous oxide emissions and has a lower noise impact. These features, together with its longest range, make it a very attractive option for the short and medium-range market.
