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Air quality - new technology

 
British Airways aircraft on the runway.

We work closely with manufacturers to ensure the latest 'green' 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 will be introduced for new engines in 2008.

New aircraft

British Airways aircraft in flight.

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. Environmental  performance was one of the key factors in the long-haul purchase decision and  the engines that power both the A380 and Boeing 787 are cleaner than the aircraft they replace.

  • The A380 emits about 10% less NOx per aircraft than the Boeing 747-400.
  • The Boeing 787 NOx emissions are about 46% less per aircraft than the Boeing 767.

Find out more about our new aircraft

New technology equipment

Engine turbine.

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.