Air quality - investing in new technologies
We work closely with manufacturers to ensure the latest 'clean' technology is used when designing new generations of aircraft and engines.
We have been modifying the engine combustors on our existing long-haul aircraft to reduce our NOx emissions. As a result, over half of the engines fitted to our aircraft are already compliant with the NOx emission standards that were introduced for new engines in 2008.
New technology equipment
We are also fitting new technology equipment to our existing long-haul aircraft engines:
- 'DAC II' combustors on our Boeing 777-236 GE90 engines
- new 'Phase 5' combustors on 30 of the 57 Boeing 747-400 RB211-524G engines
Both of these modifications will help reduce NOx emissions.
New aircraft
Operating newer, cleaner, more efficient aircraft is an important part of reducing the impacts from our emissions.
At the end of September 2007, we announced the purchase of new aircraft to replace some of our Boeing 767-300 and 747-400's. The new Airbus 380 and Boeing 787 have significantly better environmental performances than the aircraft they replace - with regards air quality the A380 emits about 10% less NOx per aircraft than the Boeing 747-400, whilst the Boeing 787 NOx emissions are about 46% less per aircraft than the Boeing 767.
Find out more about our new aircraft