Lufthansa Cargo follows model toward CO2 reduction

In cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Lufthansa Cargo has developed a four-pillar model to improve its environmental performance and reach its target of reducing its 2005 level carbon emissions by 25% this year.

The carrier aims to cut its specific CO2 emissions in air freight transport by 25% by 2020, and has to date reduced emissions by approximately 13.5% to 475 grams per tonne-kilometer.

Lufthansa’s four-pillar approach to climate protection begins with technological progress. It has purchased five new Boeing 777Fs, which currently have the best environmental performance, emitting roughly 17% less CO2 per tonne-kilometer than the MD-11F. Additionally, Lufthansa has worked to improve the efficiency of its freighters, including the MD-11F, through additional technical measures, such as fan blade recontouring, which restores the contour of the engine’s fan blades and reduces emissions and kerosene consumption while extending the lifespan of the parts.

The second pillar is operational, including more than 50 measures carried out by pilots as part of the German airline’s fuel-efficiency project. The measures include the identification of the most efficient routes, which can save up to 1,000 tonnes of kerosene annually, and more efficient aircraft-loading processes to counter uneven weight distribution and decrease fuel consumption. One example of this improved loading process is Lufthansa’s replacement of standard containers with AKH Lightweight-Containers in 2014, which save 2,100 tonnes of kerosene and 6,800 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Additional operational measures include the development of light pallets and removal of loose objects, such as flashlights and cockpit documents. Since implementing IATA’s electronic air waybill (eAWB) in 2015, one-third of all Lufthansa Cargo shipments are transported without a paper air waybill. The onboard weight reduction that results from digitalizing one cargo document can save approximately 225 tonnes of CO2 annually.

The remaining pillars are: improved infrastructure, including helping to restructure European airspace to enable more direct flights under the Single European Sky (SES) project; and economic measures that are focused primarily on the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization’s system of climate levies.