SkyCargo trails passenger operations in environmental performance in PwC impact study

The Emirates Group’s sixth annual environmental report showed that total fuel consumption increased by a combined 42.6 percent, while jet fuel consumption increased by 12.8 percent. The group’s SkyCargo brand, which operates an extensive logistics chain, saw cargo fuel efficiency (freighters only) fall by 0.9 percent, and cargo CO2 efficiency (freighters only) fall by 0.7 percent.

For passenger operations fuel and CO2 efficiency rose by 5.3 percent and 5.4 percent, respectively.

Total flight operations capacity grew 11 percent, to 56.4 billion tonne kilometers with the addition of new passenger services to eight destinations, higher frequencies to existing destinations, and increased capacity with larger aircraft.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) audit examines environmental performance data and sustainability initiatives across the group’s activities, including dnata’s cargo and ground handling businesses and other commercial activities on the ground such as engineering and catering.

The report cited regional volatility and airspace closure due to security concerns that drove up fuel consumption because of flights requiring longer flight paths. Emirates also added 29 new aircraft to its fleet in the year following the last study, contributing to a 12.8 percent increase in C02 emissions.