Press Release
Entec Helps Flybe Develop Aircraft Eco-labelling Scheme

Issue date: 8th June 2007

Entec has helped Flybe become the first airline in the world to introduce an aircraft eco-labelling scheme. The airline appointed Entec to undertake the assessment of fuel use and pollutant emissions from aircraft engines and to assist with the development of the eco-label rating scheme for different aircraft types.

This was achieved by using standardised fuel use and emission indices compiled by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), supplemented by data from aircraft engine manufacturers. The calculations were carried out using an Entec-developed spreadsheet software tool and this builds upon work done by Entec for Southampton, Bristol and Newquay airports in the UK.

Each aircraft’s eco-label is broken down into three component parts:

• Local Environment which assesses the aircraft’s noise rating on an A (low) to F (high) rating; and the levels of CO2 and NOx emissions on a landing and take-off cycle basis
  
  
• Journey Environment which grades fuel consumption and CO2 emissions (kg/seat) on a range of typical European sector basis (500, 1000 and 1500 km) and also on an A (low) to F (high) grading
  
  
• Passenger Environment which contains information on minimum leg-room and the number of seats.

The eco-labelling scheme allows passengers, on the basis of fully transparent disclosure, to assess the environmental impact of their journey. Passengers will then be in a position to decide, on an informed basis, whether they want to carbon-offset that journey.

Commenting on the launch of the eco-labelling scheme, Jim French, Flybe Chief Executive and Chairman said: "Flybe acknowledge that human activity, including air travel, is contributing to global climate change. Flybe acknowledges and takes seriously its responsibility to reduce the carbon emissions produced by our aircraft and this we are seeking to do, through the purchase of the most environmentally sensitive aircraft, deployment of the right size aircraft on the right routes, and through constant improvements in our operational processes. With today’s launch of the eco-label, we take up the challenge to make Flybe as environmentally sensitive as possible and to help bring pressure across the industry to reduce emissions by improving standards."

Alun McIntyre, Technical Director at Entec, said: "We are delighted to have provided technical support on aircraft emissions and CO2 footprints for Flybe during the development of this pioneering eco-labelling scheme for the aviation sector. All of our clients take carbon management very seriously and, whilst emissions from aviation currently account for only a small proportion of the man-induced global total, projected growth in this sector would potentially result in increased future emissions. We applaud Flybe for having taken such a pro-active and responsible stance on this issue."

Enquiries to:

Zoë Dewdney
Email: dewdz@entecuk.co.uk
Tel: 0191 272 6336
Fax: 0191 272 6592

Notes to Editors:

• Entec is one of the UK’s largest environmental and engineering consultancies. The technical and business skills of over 750 staff and associates are dedicated to delivering strategic, technical and engineering solutions which bring commercial benefits to our customers at home and overseas. This know-how is based on over 60 years of consulting experience in the public and private sectors. For further information, please visit our website www.entecuk.com
  
  
• For further information about the report and the Flybe please visit http://www.flybe.com/news/0706/04.htm
  
  

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