Etihad Airways, the UAE’s esteemed national airline, has again soared to new heights by clinching the coveted title of Environmental Airline of the Year 2023. This momentous achievement marks the second consecutive year that Etihad has been honoured with this prestigious accolade at the illustrious Airline Ratings Awards, cementing its position as a trailblazer in the aviation industry.

Airline Ratings, renowned for its comprehensive evaluation of airlines based on innovation, route networks, and safety benchmarks, acknowledged Etihad Airways for its unwavering commitment to sustainable aviation through groundbreaking innovation and collaborative efforts. The airline’s relentless dedication to effecting change and driving results within Abu Dhabi and globally earned it this remarkable recognition.

In addition to clinching the title of Environmental Airline of the Year, Etihad Airways also soared to an impressive third place in Airline Ratings’ highly acclaimed ‘Top 10 Airlines’ rankings. This commendation commends airlines’ comfort, innovation, value, and safety excellence across all classes, including Economy, Business, and First Class.

Etihad Airways has strategically prioritized sustainability as a cornerstone of its operations, aiming to achieve substantial emissions reductions through a multifaceted approach. The airline aligns its sustainability strategy with industry roadmaps and frameworks while actively engaging with the UAE’s industrial ecosystems. Etihad consistently addresses sustainability challenges within the aviation industry, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and proactive measures.

In its latest sustainability report, unveiled in May 2023, Etihad proudly announced a remarkable 26% reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometer (RTK). This significant milestone is underpinned by Etihad’s flagship sustainability initiatives, including the groundbreaking Greenliner program. Leveraging its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as flying test beds, Etihad has successfully demonstrated the potential for sustainable aviation. Additionally, the Sustainable50 A350-1000 has further bolstered the airline’s sustainability efforts.

Antonoaldo Neves, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, expressed his pride in the airline’s accomplishments, stating, “We take great pride in reducing our CO2 RTK by 26 percent. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and efforts of our team to drive our sustainability agenda, and we thank them for their contributions. I am also very proud of our overall achievements, which go beyond delivering direct CO2 reductions but explore innovative solutions to the broader challenges facing aviation sustainability, as you can see in our annual report.”

Geoffrey Thomas, Editor-in-Chief of Airlineratings.com, lauded Etihad Airways for its trailblazing endeavours in sustainable flight, citing the groundbreaking Greenliner Boeing 787 program and the previous year’s Sustainability50 A350 aircraft. Thomas commended the unwavering commitment of Etihad Airways’ staff and management to reduce the airline’s CO2 footprint, noting that the results were evident. He emphasized that the collective effort to reduce emissions encompassed numerous elements, highlighting Etihad’s wide range of initiatives showcased in its Sustainability Report 2021-2022.

Etihad’s sustainability achievements in 2023 are nothing short of remarkable. The airline has achieved a commendable 26% reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometer (RTK), a testament to its unwavering commitment to sustainable aviation. Furthermore, adding five A350 aircraft to its fleet has bolstered its environmentally conscious operations.

Not content with limiting its efforts to the skies, Etihad has also made significant contributions on the ground. The airline’s ambitious Etihad Mangroves Forest project saw the planting of an impressive 68,916 mangrove trees, contributing to vital ecosystem preservation. Additionally, employees collaborated with DGrade to recycle over 29,000 plastic bottles, showcasing the airline’s commitment to reducing plastic waste. Etihad has also implemented waterless bus washing methods, saving an astonishing 770,000+ litres of water.

Etihad’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own operations. Through CO2 offset programs, guests have collectively offset over 3,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The airline has also made great strides in eco-friendly travel, operating over 40 ecoFlights in 2022 and facilitating carbon-neutral air travel for over 4.9 million air kilometres flown by guests.

Embracing a circular economy, Etihad recently announced a new dining service centred around sustainable practices. The brand’s loyalty program, Corporate Conscious Choices, has expanded its green offerings. The airline continued to advance its Sustainable Aviation Fuel roadmap. It achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the first-ever Etihad NetZero* flight, powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Book & Claim.

For more details on Etihad’s sustainability achievements and initiatives, please refer to the entire sustainability report available here.

In a world where environmental consciousness is increasingly crucial, Etihad Airways has emerged as an undeniable beacon of sustainable aviation. With its unwavering dedication, groundbreaking initiatives, and remarkable achievements, Etihad sets a high bar for the entire industry, propelling aviation into a greener and more sustainable future.

Written by: Christine Nguyen

==================================