A new “eco-responsible” airline is planning to launch flights from Paris Orly in 2023.
The paper carrier’s website says that it will use at least 5 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from the start of operations, with an initial fleet of three A320 neo aircraft.
The company claims that a passenger travelling with Flying Green will reduce their CO2 emissions by 16 per cent on average, although it doesn’t state what this figure is benchmarked against.
Other eco-friendly initiatives will include “zero paper, 100 per cent recyclable waste policies”, as well as “Green operational procedures in flight and on the ground”, and a focus on “eco-responsible partners”. It has also set a bold target of being the first net-zero emissions carrier.
Flying Green is hoping to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications for operation in the second half of 2022, with a target of launching flights in the first half of 2023.
No routes have yet been announced, but the carrier says that it will initially operate out of Paris Orly with a “mainly medium-haul network”.
The plans come at a time when airlines are increasing pressure to reduce their CO2 emissions. Air France operated its first long-haul flight powered by French-produced SAF earlier this year, ahead of legislation which calls for aircraft to use at least one per cent SAF by 2022 for all flights originating in France.
Air France-KLM carries out its first long-haul flight powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
When the French flag carrier was granted billions of Euros in state aid as a result of Covid-19 last year, the bailout came with several conditions including a reduction in its domestic network to make the carrier more environmentally friendly.
This includes a ban on domestic flights that can be covered by train in two and half hours, although as our consumer editor Alex McWhirter explained this does not apply to connecting services.