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Santiago, April 1, 2008.
The aviation industry is concerned with issues of climate change and environmental impact. Overall, it generates less than 2% of total CO 2 emissions in the world. This is equivalent to a sixth of all CO 2 produced by ground transportation.
The aviation industry is implementing diverse initiatives in order to substantially reduce CO 2 emissions, as Giovanni Bisignani, General Director of IATA -International Air Transportation Association- pointed out at IATA's annual summit, celebrated in 2007.
Leading the Latin American sector, LAN Airlines spearheaded the signing of the environmental agreement. The event took place today at FIDAE (International Air and Space Fair, according to its Spanish acronym), in Santiago. This initiative was launched by IATA and In addition to LAN, it has received the sponsorship of important industry organizations, such as the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (Comisión Latinoamericana de Aviación Civil, CLAC, its Spanish acronym), the International Organization of Civil Aviation (Organización Internacional de Aviación Civil, OACI, its Spanish acronym), and the Latin American Air Transport Association (Asociación Latinoamericana de Transporte Aéreo, ALTA, its Spanish acronym).
LAN was the first company to sign this important agreement in Latin America, committing to contribute to the lowering of CO 2 emissions and to funneling all of its efforts toward environmental conservation.
Its commitment to this initiative, titled "Green Aviation Partners", includes 10 initiatives among which is the incorporation of environmental criteria in daily decision-making; use optimization of resources with available technology, focusing on the use of environmental management systems and eco-efficient programs; the promotion of research, development and implementation of innovative solutions in order to decrease the environmental footprint, among others.
The first step will be the donation of 500 trees, to be planted in Calan Hill in Santiago. This activity will be coordinated through the non-profit organization "Cultiva", which specializes in reforestation programs.
Funds, obtained from donations collected among those contributing in exchange for their "Green Aviation Partners" I.D., will be given to reforestation projects in the region.
LAN and its commitment to the environment
For several years now, LAN Airlines has been carrying out environmental conservation measures. One of the most important of these is its fleet renewal program. This program started in 2000 and, so far, 38 new Airbus A320s have been added to its fleet. These aircraft consume less fuel, enabling LAN to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 10%. Once the withdrawal of the Boeing 737-200s from the short haul fleet has been finalized, during the upcoming months, this reduction will reach 15%.
Currently, over 90% of LAN's national route flights take place in the new Airbus fleet. These airplanes have been designed with a new environmental management system (EMS), based on the ISO 1400 1 norm, which ensures that compliance with these strict standards will last throughout their useful life.
In addition, the acquisition of the new aircraft has decreased the level of noise, reducing acoustic pollution in a significant way. For example, the new fleet has managed to reduce surface noise impact near the landing strip at the airport of Santiago by over 85 decibels from 12 km2 to 3.1 km2, benefiting airport employees and the residents of the surrounding areas.
LAN Airlines is also working on its long haul fleet. By the end of this decade the Boeing 767-300s will have reduced their emissions by approximately 5%, thanks to the installation of winglets tip extensions on aircraft . This measure improves aerodynamic performance and consequently results in a decrease in fuel consumption and environmental impact.
A crucial step in LAN's commitment to the environment will be the addition of 32 Boeing 787 Dreamliner, representing an investment of US$3,500 million- the highest investment in the history of the company. These are expected to be incorporated between the years 2011 and 2016. This airplane model showcases the latest state of the art technology and is considered the new ecological airplane.
Moreover, due to the efforts of different departments in the company, several green measures have been implemented since 2005. These measures have brought operational changes and have also given way to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions. Among these new measures are those relating to flight schedule optimization and pavement displacement, as well as management of in-flight weight, among others.
By 2011, all of these measures, in addition to the new short haul airplanes, will allow LAN to reduce its carbon emissions by 15% in about a decade.
Along the same lines, LAN has also started a program of donation and reconditioning of personal computers, as a way of contributing to recycling and supporting aid organizations in the region. During 2007 four hundred computers were given to different institutions in Chile and the rest of Latin America.
As to paper, over 97% of all of the company's passenger tickets are emitted electronically, through e-ticket. There is, as well, a program geared to reducing paper use in photocopiers and printers, and energy-saving initiatives in LAN's offices, all of which take place with the full support of LAN employees.
