Environmental Leader

As part of its EarthCares fuel saving program, Northwest Airlines Cargo is purchasing 4,200 lightweight cargo/luggage containers which the airline says could save up to 1.3 million gallons of fuel per year.

In addition, NWA has replaced engines on five of its freighter aircraft with more fuel efficient and higher performance engines for a five percent improvement in fuel efficiency. The move will save the airline an estimated 2.4 million gallons of fuel per year and eliminate over 26,000 tons of carbon emissions.

NWA Cargo’s current aluminum LD3s weigh just over 205 pounds each. The new composite LD3s weigh only 150 pounds, saving 55 pounds per unit.

In addition to these initiatives, NWA Cargo estimates that it saves 450 gallons of fuel per freighter flight utilizing direct Russian over-flight routes. In 2007, the airline saved almost 100,000 gallons of fuel due to the reduced flying time.

Northwest is one of many airlines that have slowed down flights to save fuel.

Advertisers

Can you accelerate your sustainability efforts?

Complimentary 5 Step Best Practices Guide >>