Qantas announces carbon emissions saving from A380 flight

Airline Industry Information, Oct 22, 2008

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Qantas has claimed that the inaugural flight of its Airbus A380 service between Los Angeles and Melbourne had saved thousands of kilograms of carbon emissions.

The airline is involved in a joint initiative with Airservices Australia and the Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions group (ASPIRE), under which Qantas' first A380 aircraft, operating as QF94, used electrical power while on the ground in Los Angeles, as opposed to running its auxiliary power unit.

The aircraft was also given priority clearance from air traffic control for taxiing and departure; a priority departure route out of Los Angeles with unimpeded climb to cruise altitude; a user preferred route for the most efficient path; and two real-time updates of wind and weather conditions.

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