Global private aviation firm VistaJet has announced its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025 – 25 years ahead of current industry goals set by the International Air Transport Association, civil aviation industry bodies and the global business aviation community.
The business aviation firm —which boasts a fleet of over 70 private jets flying in 187 countries worldwide — hopes the green-focused pledge will encourage others in the industry to follow suit. VistaJet’s pledge goes further than the current goal of a 50% reduction in emissions over the next 29 years.
“The greater aviation industry’s aim for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2050 is just a start; we feel that change needs to happen now and not in 25+ years’ time,” said VistaJet’s chief commercial officer, Ian Moore. “We’re calling on the whole aviation industry to prioritize sustainability by making our pledge to be carbon neutral by 2025 and we’re publicly sharing our full blueprint with competitors and peers to push for greater industry change,” he added.
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The announcement comes off the back of an increased focus on environmental responsibility from the private aviation firm over the past year. In January 2020 VistaJet launched its Sustainability in Aviation pledge, which has since seen 80% of its members opt into the Carbon Offset Program. The firm also announced its partnership with SkyNRG – the global leader in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint further.
Setting out the firm’s plans, Thomas Flohr, VistaJet’s chairman and founder said: “Our model itself is the most effective in focusing on utilization and a shared fleet concept; and adoption of more sustainable aviation fuels, and smarter, more economic aircraft,”
But what does VistaJet’s model entail? In order to achieve its ambition of carbon neutrality by 2025, the firm has outlined a list of measures. This includes increasing uptake on their existing carbon reduction program and the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel as mentioned by Flohr, which, when used in place of standard jet fuel, is thought to reduce carbon emissions by 85%.
VistaJet also points towards the purchase of technologically advanced aircraft, with the firm’s latest acquisition coming earlier in the month as it welcomed two brand new Bombardier Global 7500 Aircraft to its fleet. The pair of long-haul private jets benefit from the latest GE Passport engines that produce less noise pollution and provide more efficient fuel consumption.
Alongside these measures, the firm has been investing in new technology to aid its green efforts and says that recent developments in its AI infrastructure have enabled it to optimize route and speed, reducing fuel consumption by approximately 8% per flight. VistaJet is also currently working on predictive route algorithms to further minimize fuel burn.
Onboard, passengers will find their meals served on porcelain plates and drinks served in crystalware, near-eliminating the need for single-use items. In fact, VstaJet has removed over 90% of single-use items across its fleet and replaced items on board with sustainable alternatives.
VistaJet launched its Sustainability in Aviation initiative in January 2020 / ©VistaJet
Partnerships with carbon-neutral companies wherever possible and a move towards on-the-ground operations powered by renewable energy will also aid in meeting the company’s ambitious 2025 goal. The firm also plans to look towards introducing new initiatives as innovations in green aviation develop over the next four years.
To track its progress, VistaJet will be continuously monitored by South Pole, an environmental consultancy set with the task of examining the private aviation company’s carbon footprint in the form of Extensive Greenhouse Gas Emissions audits and Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures audits (examining climate-related governance and risk). This will help to inform VistaJet’s new Annual Climate Risk Report which will be launched later this year.
Moore believes the appetite for greener travel is already there amongst VistaJet’s growing customer base: “Already, 80% of VistaJet Members have opted to compensate their fuel use-related emissions and we are actively working on educating our customers and the market about sustainability, offsetting and SAF – what they are and how they can play a role in reducing our impact on the environment.
“By leading the change in the industry, business aviation has the power to make a significant impact: we are carrying the most successful business people and corporations in the world – when they commit, the world watches and follows,” he added.
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