Virgin Atlantic sets ambitious carbon targets

British mega carrier, Virgin Atlantic has announced ambitious carbon targets as the airline renews its mission to achieve net zero by 2050.

The carrier is reinforcing its commitment to embed sustainability through innovation, transparency and accountability to do more for the protection of the planet.

Carbon targets

Virgin Atlantic’s new targets set a clear pathway to net zero by 2050, to achieve by 2026 15% gross reduction in CO₂/RTK achieved through continued fleet transformation and operational efficiency.

By 2030, 15% net reduction in total CO₂ emissions, including 10% of fuel would be sourced from sustainable aviation fuel while by 2040, there would be 40% net reduction in total CO₂ emissions

Youngest, cleanest fleet in the sky

Virgin Atlantic has a 15-year strong history as a sustainability leader. Today, the airline operates one of the youngest and cleanest twin-engine fleets in the skies, with an average aircraft age of just under seven years, following a multi-billion-dollar investment in fleet transformation over the last decade, which has so far delivered a 20% reduction in fleet carbon emissions.

Innovation leadership

Beyond fleet transformation, Virgin Atlantic is committed to working with new technology innovators. To seed, support and adopt the breakthrough technologies capable of delivering change. As a long-standing advocate for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Virgin Atlantic has been partnering with LanzaTech since 2011, flying the world’s first commercial flight operated on sustainable fuels in 2018 and supporting efforts to build the first UK SAF plant by 2025. It also continues to support new technology innovation, most recently working with partners, Storegga Geotechnologies and Carbon Engineering, to accelerate the use of direct air capture of CO₂.

[1] CO2 reduction between 2007-19

Wole Shadare