Air Europa continues to take decisive steps towards achieving its sustainability targets. Data at the end of 2024 confirm that the airline has already reduced its CO2 since 2015, and is approaching the 30% then set as a 2030 target. The rapid progress achieved in decarbonization has been supported by three key elements: fleet modernization, the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the use of advanced technological solutions to improve operational efficiency.
Emission reductions have accelerated, especially since 2021 and 2022, when the fleet unification process around Boeing aircraft was completed. The 737 short- and medium-haul and 787 Dreamliner long-haul models have been instrumental in reducing fuel consumption. The larger capacity of these aircraft has enabled Air Europa to carry more and more passengers on fewer and fewer flights. In addition, the Dreamliner's design and technology have been decisive in reducing fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25% compared to other models in the same category.
To continue in this line, three new Boeing 787s will be added to the fleet this year, as well as the first 737 MAX. This model will contribute to further reducing emissions and will operate mainly to European destinations and, occasionally, to domestic destinations.
On the other hand, although it is mandatory for all EU airports qualified as Union Airports to provide airlines with a 2% of SAF fuel, Air Europa has already been using it on some of its routes since 2023. This was the case for certain flights between Madrid and Havana and Madrid and Buenos Aires in the last two years.
A more sustainable operation
Moreover, the company has introduced progressive improvements aimed at enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the entire operation, both on the ground and in the air. Since 2024, the OptiClimb application has been in use, providing specific and individual indications for each flight on the optimal climb speed to minimize fuel consumption without compromising journey time. By this year, this solution is expected to contribute to avoiding some 10,100 tons of emissions.
On the ground, the aircraft apply the SETO (Single Engine Taxi Out) and SETI (Single Engine Taxi In) protocols, which involve taxiing the aircraft in and out using a single engine. On the other hand, thanks to an agreement with Toyota, the fleet of vehicles is being replaced by electric units, taking advantage of the progressive availability of recharging points in the main Spanish airports. Finally, in addition to reducing the use of paper on board, a complete renovation of the materials used to present the gastronomic offer has been carried out. Menus are served with recyclable and biodegradable materials, maintaining the quality of presentation and service at all times.
"Air Europa's commitment to sustainability is an intrinsic part of the way we conceive our business. We are convinced of the importance of making progress in this area, at all levels, because we believe in the strategic role of aviation as a means of connection on a global scale and in its capacity to remain so with the least possible impact on the environment," says Rosa Nordfeldt, Air Europa's Sustainability Director.
Efficiency and sustainability measures represent a fundamental axis of the company's current Strategic Plan, and are reflected in the Vuelo 2030 project, launched two years ago. This brings together more than 40 measures to achieve real sustainability at all levels, from environmental to operational and social. The progress achieved is shared each year through participation in "The Aviation Challenge," a worldwide challenge organized by the SkyTeam alliance to try to operate the most sustainable flight possible. In the 2023 edition, the airline won the "Lowest CO2 emissions on a short-haul flight" and "Lowest CO2 emissions for ground operations" awards.
