ID :
19300
Sat, 09/13/2008 - 10:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19300
The shortlink copeid
Japanese and other airlines slim down after fuel costs jump+
LONDON, Sept. 12 Kyodo - Airlines around the world, including the Japanese carriers, are doing everything they can to reduce the weight of their aircraft as the cost of fuel has soared in recent months.
While many airlines already invest in fuel-efficient aircraft, they are now
realizing further economies can be made by looking at ways of slimming down the
weight in the cabin and cargo hold. Japan Airlines has been one of those
leading the field in looking at ways of reducing the payload -- even to the
point of reducing the weight of its cutlery and tableware.
Other airlines, including British Airways, have also started to realize that
they can make considerable savings on fuel costs, even if they make slight
reductions to the weight of the aircraft.
Chris Yates, an aviation expert at Jane's in London, told Kyodo News this trend
started in the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, when
the already cutthroat airline industry suffered. However, European and Japanese
airlines were more protected and have until only recently had to adjust due to
the rising cost of fuel.
In recent years, Japan Airlines has been at the forefront of weight-reduction
measures. The firm has worked out that for every 1 kilogram it can shed on a
Boeing 777 flying from Japan to Europe it can save around 0.4 kg in fuel.
The company has introduced 20 percent lighter porcelain tableware in first and
business classes, and has made its spoons and forks in economy 2 grams lighter.
On a typical Tokyo to London flight, for example, this means the company is
making a reduction of 3.2 kg.
In addition, the firm has found it can make aircraft 23 kg lighter by reducing
the number of newspapers and magazines carried on board international flights.
On domestic flights, JAL has also suspended beer sales, thereby saving 94 kg on
a typical 747 jet.
Trials are being conducted on reducing the amount of food service items loaded
on to the long-haul 777s, including even the number of paper cups. On other
aircraft, the company has also decided to cut the number of earplug sets
(weighing 5 grams each) it loads.
A JAL spokeswoman in London said, ''Japan Airlines is one of the airlines
leading the way in implementing measures to reduce fuel consumption and
increase fuel efficiency. This is in order to restrain increasing operational
costs, with the price of fuel at unprecedented high levels, as well as help the
airline to reduce its environmental footprint in terms of carbon dioxide
emissions.''
The company has reduced the weight of its cargo containers on passenger
flights, and is operating unpainted cargo aircraft, which reduces the weight by
between 150 and 200 kg per aircraft.
Food carts, trays and galley areas have also been made lighter and the amount
of drinking water on board has been cut. JAL estimates that on a Boeing 777
flight it has reduced the weight by 500 kg per aircraft.
JAL hopes that these weight reduction measures can contribute to an overall aim
of reducing fuel consumption by 14 percent by 2010.
All Nippon Airways has reduced weight by installing carbon fiber seats and,
according to reports, has stopped giving sugar sachets to customers as part of
the cutlery set. They are now provided on request.
British Airways currently spends more than $14 million per day on fuel and is
looking at ways to reduce this bill.
A spokesman said a review is being undertaken ''to see if we can make the
aircraft slightly lighter without compromising on the highest levels of
customer service.''
BA is looking at how it can reduce the number of trolleys, cutlery, tableware
and storage items. The company has no plans to redesign its menus on the
grounds of the weight of the food. Long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic is also
looking at ways to reduce its weight.
Yates said, ''The need to cut costs has become more acute with the rise in the
price of fuel. American airlines have been cutting their internal costs to the
bone -- reducing the quality of the in-flight meal, reducing the quality of the
in-flight amenity bags.''
However, he said he believes there is a limit as to how far the airlines can go
in cutting costs before they start alienating the first and business class
passengers they rely on so much. Instead, Yates thinks airlines will start to
look at reducing the number of staff in non-critical jobs.
While many airlines already invest in fuel-efficient aircraft, they are now
realizing further economies can be made by looking at ways of slimming down the
weight in the cabin and cargo hold. Japan Airlines has been one of those
leading the field in looking at ways of reducing the payload -- even to the
point of reducing the weight of its cutlery and tableware.
Other airlines, including British Airways, have also started to realize that
they can make considerable savings on fuel costs, even if they make slight
reductions to the weight of the aircraft.
Chris Yates, an aviation expert at Jane's in London, told Kyodo News this trend
started in the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, when
the already cutthroat airline industry suffered. However, European and Japanese
airlines were more protected and have until only recently had to adjust due to
the rising cost of fuel.
In recent years, Japan Airlines has been at the forefront of weight-reduction
measures. The firm has worked out that for every 1 kilogram it can shed on a
Boeing 777 flying from Japan to Europe it can save around 0.4 kg in fuel.
The company has introduced 20 percent lighter porcelain tableware in first and
business classes, and has made its spoons and forks in economy 2 grams lighter.
On a typical Tokyo to London flight, for example, this means the company is
making a reduction of 3.2 kg.
In addition, the firm has found it can make aircraft 23 kg lighter by reducing
the number of newspapers and magazines carried on board international flights.
On domestic flights, JAL has also suspended beer sales, thereby saving 94 kg on
a typical 747 jet.
Trials are being conducted on reducing the amount of food service items loaded
on to the long-haul 777s, including even the number of paper cups. On other
aircraft, the company has also decided to cut the number of earplug sets
(weighing 5 grams each) it loads.
A JAL spokeswoman in London said, ''Japan Airlines is one of the airlines
leading the way in implementing measures to reduce fuel consumption and
increase fuel efficiency. This is in order to restrain increasing operational
costs, with the price of fuel at unprecedented high levels, as well as help the
airline to reduce its environmental footprint in terms of carbon dioxide
emissions.''
The company has reduced the weight of its cargo containers on passenger
flights, and is operating unpainted cargo aircraft, which reduces the weight by
between 150 and 200 kg per aircraft.
Food carts, trays and galley areas have also been made lighter and the amount
of drinking water on board has been cut. JAL estimates that on a Boeing 777
flight it has reduced the weight by 500 kg per aircraft.
JAL hopes that these weight reduction measures can contribute to an overall aim
of reducing fuel consumption by 14 percent by 2010.
All Nippon Airways has reduced weight by installing carbon fiber seats and,
according to reports, has stopped giving sugar sachets to customers as part of
the cutlery set. They are now provided on request.
British Airways currently spends more than $14 million per day on fuel and is
looking at ways to reduce this bill.
A spokesman said a review is being undertaken ''to see if we can make the
aircraft slightly lighter without compromising on the highest levels of
customer service.''
BA is looking at how it can reduce the number of trolleys, cutlery, tableware
and storage items. The company has no plans to redesign its menus on the
grounds of the weight of the food. Long-haul carrier Virgin Atlantic is also
looking at ways to reduce its weight.
Yates said, ''The need to cut costs has become more acute with the rise in the
price of fuel. American airlines have been cutting their internal costs to the
bone -- reducing the quality of the in-flight meal, reducing the quality of the
in-flight amenity bags.''
However, he said he believes there is a limit as to how far the airlines can go
in cutting costs before they start alienating the first and business class
passengers they rely on so much. Instead, Yates thinks airlines will start to
look at reducing the number of staff in non-critical jobs.
