Jetstar and the Environment
Jetstar is committed to minimising its impact on the environment and has introduced various initiatives to address this important issue. Our commitment is outlined in the Qantas Group Environment Policy.
On 19 September 2007, Jetstar introduced a passenger Carbon Offset scheme facilitated through the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative.
Through the Carbon Offset scheme, Jetstar’s passengers can choose to make their journey carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets on all domestic and international services via a seamless single step process at the time of booking at Jetstar.com.
Jetstar’s Carbon Offset program is now one of the most successful programs in the Australian airline industry and has raised almost $600,000. About 12 per cent of all passengers booking at Jetstar.com currently choose to offset their share of flight emissions.
Jetstar’s Carbon Offset program has proven to be particularly successful on a number of domestic routes, including Sydney-Ballina Byron, which in 2008 has averaged 24 per cent of passengers booking via the web opting to carbon-offset their flight, Melbourne-Ballina Byron (20 per cent), Adelaide-Melbourne Avalon (16 per cent), Melbourne- Hobart (15 per cent) and Sydney-Melbourne Avalon (14 per cent).
Our carbon offsets are purchased through Climate Friendly, who has been ranked as the number one carbon offset provider in Australia by the Carbon Offset Watch and is a founding member of the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA).
Jetstar’s voluntary carbon offset program is certified and independently verified under the Australian Government’s National Carbon Offset Standard - Carbon Neutral™ program (NCOS-CN). NCOS-CN is the successor to the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ carbon offset certification program, which finished in 2010. View our Public Disclosure Summary. http://www.australiancarbontrust.com.au/client/jetstar
Carbon Offset Projects
Click here to view further information on how to purchase Carbon Offsets.
OUR STRATEGY FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY
Jetstar is deploying a number if fuel efficiency strategies to reduce fuel consumption and minimise our footprint:
New fuel-efficient aircraft
Jetstar has a current fleet of modern fuel efficient A320 and A330 aircraft and has established a fuel efficiency program to continuously monitor fuel consumption and identify opportunities for improving efficiency leading to reduced fuel consumption and gas emissions.
As part of this program, Jetstar has begun upgrading its A320 engines to achieve a one per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions.
In other significant environmental initiatives, in the last quarter of 2012 Jetstar is expected to receive the first batch of Boeing B787 Dreamliners (subject to further updates from the manufacturer), which are 20 per cent more fuel efficient and emit 20 per cent fewer emissions compared to similarly sized aircraft.
Advanced Navigational Aircraft Technology
To improve our fuel efficiency, we are constantly planning, implementing and adopting innovative navigational and operational technologies such as Required Navigation Performance (RNP)
Reducing aircraft weight
Reducing the weight of our aircraft is another way that we are planning to improve our fuel efficiency. Weight reductions are primarily achieved by minimising unnecessary items and carrying lighter equipment / freight.
Flight planning improvements
The path that we choose to fly between locations - can change the amount of fuel that we burn. We are always improving the accuracy of our flight planning systems to create the most fuel efficient path and fuel load possible.
Improved aerodynamic performance
Optimising the aerodynamic performance of our aircraft contributes to the fuel efficiency of our operations. We improve aircraft aerodynamics by conducting regular aircraft and engine compressor washes and flight control rigging checks.
In addition to aircraft safety, the way an aircraft is loaded can also impact its fuel efficiency. That is why we ensure that our aircraft are properly balanced at all times.
Sustainable aviation fuel
The Qantas Group is exploring commercially viable alternatives to traditional jet fuel, namely Sustainable Aviation Fuel. By using things like waste products and algae to make jet fuel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel contributes fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The Qantas Group will be looking for Sustainable Aviation Fuel options that meet strict safety, environmental and sustainability requirements. To help make Sustainable Aviation Fuel widely available and commercially viable, the Qantas Group joined the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG) and engages regularly with industry, government, suppliers and stakeholders.
View more information on Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
In July 2008, the Qantas Group introduced an employee environmental program, begreen, which encourages all employees to suggest and adopt eco-friendly processes. In addition, Jetstar has been purchasing carbon offsets for all of its ground vehicles and for staff travelling on company business.