Etihad Airways named ‘Environmental Airline of the Year 2022’

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has been named ‘Environmental Airline of the Year 2022’ in the annual Airline Ratings awards.

The airline recently published the Etihad Airways Sustainability Report, demonstrating the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said,

Our ambition to become a leader in aviation sustainability has taken us on a journey to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, not just for Etihad, but for the entire industry.

Etihad has recently embarked on a wide campaign promoting sustainable flying. Its flagship sustainability programmes include the Greenliner programme using the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as flying test-beds, as well as the Sustainable50 A350-1000 launched earlier this year.

We continue to explore and test all possible ways to decarbonise – from research into sustainable aviation fuels and contrail avoidance to offsets and reforestation through the Etihad Mangroves. [...] We are grateful to our partners from the major manufacturers to academics and small start-ups who have partnered with us on this mission, in particular through the Greenliner and Sustainable50 programmes.

The airline also encourages its clients to contribute to its efforts to bring sustainability to aviation. Douglas appreciated the corporate clients who have signed up to the Etihad green loyalty programme Conscious Choices or brought a little less luggage or chose to offset their flights.

Etihad has also tested and implemented world-first operational efficiencies and technology solutions including Jeppesen Flite Deck Advisor, SATAVIA contrail avoidance, GE Engine Foam Wash, eTech logs and lightweight Unit Load Devices In addition to the airline’s comprehensive testing and innovation programme, Etihad became the first airline to secure commercial finance based on verified compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN SDGs).

In a conversation with WAM (Emirates news agency), Airlineratings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said:

Etihad Airways has shown its clear leadership in the push for sustainable flight with its Greenliner Boeing 787 programme and this year with its Sustainability50, A350 aircraft.

He also added that "the airline’s Sustainability Report 2020-2021 demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives, coordinated to achieve a 20 percent reduction in emissions intensity in its passenger fleet by 2025, cut 2019 net emissions by 50 percent by 2035, and reach net-zero emissions by 2050."