From pioneering autonomous decarbonized baggage trucks to using Bluetooth technology to cut single-use plastic waste from in-flight entertainment headphones, the second Sustainable Flight Challenge by global airline alliance, SkyTeam, has generated more than 500 submissions to help drive a greener future for air travel.
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SkyTeamFinalists face the jury in quest for greener air travel
Second annual sustainable aviation initiative generates hundreds of new solutions, increases SAF use, cuts emissions
From pioneering autonomous decarbonized baggage trucks to using Bluetooth technology to cut single-use plastic waste from in-flight entertainment headphones, the second Sustainable Flight Challenge by global airline alliance, SkyTeam, has generated more than 500 submissions to help drive a greener future for air travel. Winners of the 26 sub-categories have been decided by a panel of sustainability, innovation and aviation experts, including the Dutch Aerospace Center (NLR) and PA Consulting. Now, finalists are pitching their ideas to a globally diverse judging panel of industry and sustainability leaders to determine this year’s winners of the Challenge’s seven awards.
The Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC), the first industry sustainability initiative of its kind, was launched by SkyTeam in 2022. This year’s Challenge was even bigger than the first and included SkyTeam ‘friends and family’ airlines in addition to SkyTeam members. In total 22 airlines participated, operating 72 round-trip short-, medium- and long-haul flights – an increase of 38% and 227% respectively versus the previous year. Overall, this year’s TSFC resulted in an average improvement of 19% in CO2 intensity compared to the same flights operated the previous month.
“Thanks to the energy, enthusiasm and creativity of the more than 2,000 airline employees involved, this year’s TSFC eliminated 30 tons of CO2 emissions during the two-weeks of the Challenge. When it comes to operating more responsibly, The Sustainable Flight Challenge demonstrates how even small changes add up to make a big difference when we work together.” Patrick Roux, CEO, SkyTeam
The Sustainable Flight Challenge reaches new heights in 2023
All participating airlines agree to share their findings with other carriers so eco-conscious best practice in flying can be adopted more widely across the industry. Of the hundreds of innovations generated by last year’s challenge, 90 have been adopted by participating airlines in this year’s TSFC. This year, 11 airlines used Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) up from four last year and 37% of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) used was electric.
Airlines shortlisted for the seven TSFC main award categories are:
- Lowest CO2 Emissions: Air Europa, TAROM, Xiamen Air
- Greatest CO2 Reduction: Korean Air, China Eastern
- Lowest CO2 Emissions Ground Ops: Delta, Xiamen Air
- Best Waste Management: ITA Airways, KLM Cityhopper
- Best Innovation: Aeromexico, Air France, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Saudia, Vietnam Airlines
- Best Adoption: China Airlines, KLM, KLM Cityhopper, Xiamen Air
- Best Collaboration: Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, KLM, Saudia
The judging panel is currently evaluating all subcategory winners’ efforts to decide the overall champions of the seven TSFC awards. Airlines selected as ‘wildcards’ – those with an overall strong performance, but not shortlisted – will pitch their ideas directly to the judges, along with those shortlisted for the Best Innovation, Best Adoption and Best Collaboration categories. Winners will be announced at a special TSFC event held at Delta’s hub in Atlanta in October.
About SkyTeam:
SkyTeam is dedicated to powering a seamless, more sustainable customer journey, with all members working together to connect millions of passengers across an extensive global network of 1,000+ destinations. The members are Aeroflot (suspended), Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and XiamenAir.
About the Sustainable Flight Challenge
The Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC) exists to challenge the aviation industry by stimulating and accelerating innovation towards a more sustainable future. TSFC was first presented in 2022 by SkyTeam, a leading airline alliance with member carriers around the world. This year’s challenge took place between 15 May – 28 May 2023 in which 22 participating airlines implemented their most sustainable solutions and compete for awards in 32 categories. This challenge – including flight and ground operations – is another step in the aviation industry’s path towards a more sustainable future.
Source: SkyTeam
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