TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Singapore Airlines (SQ), has just completed a journey which it claims was the world’s first multi-sector demonstration green flight. On one of its long-haul scheduled flight over the North Pacific, flight SQ11 operated using a Mega top Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet, which departed from Los Angeles in the day, arrived in Singapore just past midnight via Tokyo, had successfully completed one of the most environmentally efficient flights with fuel savings of more than 10 tonnes as well as a 33-tonne reduction in carbon emissions. The fuel saved translate to around 6 per cent less than normally consumed on a similar flight.

Prior to the flight, the aircraft underwent a special engine wash programme for all four engines using recycled water to optimise fuel efficiency. The airframe was also polished to minimise drag thus would help control fuel consumption. More precise calculation of the aircraft weight were made to fine-tune the amount of fuel uplifted, reducing added weight.

At the starting phase of the flight, some measures implemented include the use of ground electrical supply instead of the plane’s auxiliary power unit to power the aircraft on ground during turnover at airports. The flight also used the most efficient route possible compared to an existing pre-determined route, flew at an optimal altitude and avoided areas with bad weather conditions which would require slight diversion onroute, reduced fuel consumption and make the journey more eco-friendly.

Upon landing brakes instead of full reverse thrust were applied to slow the aircraft, and as it was taxiing to its parking gate, one of the four engines was shut down to further conserve fuel.

The flight demonstrated that substantial fuel savings and reductions in carbon emissions can be achieved when stakeholders in the aviation industry all share a common goal of achieving a more eco-friendly environment.