Malaysia Airlines Introduces New Sustainability Blueprint

 

Malaysia Airlines and the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of the national carrier, have introduced the MAG Sustainability Blueprint which aims to achieve a target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, set together with oneworld Alliance partners.

As a starting goal, MAG is also working towards bringing several aspects of the business up to industry-leading standards in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2030. MAG’s sustainability program will contribute towards SDG aspirations for aviation emission reduction and fuel conservation and climate change. The Group also aims to reduce the overall CO2 emission by 25 million kilogram this year. It also aims to reach 50% usage of biodegradable materials for in-flight operations coupled with 50% of ground and in-flight waste recycled and up-cycled by 2025 onwards.

Championing Sustainability is a key focus for the Group as part of its goal to become Asia’s leading travel and aviation services group. MAG seeks to integrate sustainability through minimising environmental impacts, positively enhancing the communities it operates in, ensuring safety excellence, ensuring compliance within the organization, and driving profitability at the benefit of both our stakeholders and employees.

With 66 initiatives already in various phases of implementation across 23 sustainability matters from 5 key focus areas, namely Economic, Governance, Safety and Security, Environmental and Social, the Blueprint will also function as a driver to accelerate and support these initiatives into the future.

In addition to offering the highly fuel-efficient Airbus A350 aircraft on the London route, further innovative fuel saving initiatives are already yielding benefits. In the United Kingdom, due to Heathrow’s long runway, Malaysia Airlines pilots use idle reverse thrust power while stopping the aircraft allowing for 18KG of fuel to be saved per landing, which over the course of a month saves approximately 3,420KG of carbon dioxide. This is in addition to taxiing the aircraft with one engine instead of two after landing, which can further save as much as 50KG of fuel or 158KG of carbon dioxide per flight. Malaysia Airlines is also exploring carbon friendly technologies that are available at London Heathrow such as utilising electrical ground power to electric pushback.

Another major initiative that the Group is already undertaking is ‘sub-cycling’, the process of transforming waste items such as leather seats, lifejackets and uniforms into handbags, aprons, and toiletry bags.

Malaysia Airlines also has engaged in carbon offsetting initiatives in line with CORSIA, Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation that was set by the ICAO in 2016. Malaysia Airlines aims to complement these measures further by continuing to explore opportunities and key initiatives such as the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the future.

Daniel Bainbridge, Malaysia Airlines Regional Manager for UK & Europe, said; “We recognise that customers are increasingly looking to purchase from brands that lead the way in sustainability, therefore sustainability needs to be at the forefront of our decision-making process, in delivering both socially responsible and environmentally focussed business practices. The sustainability blueprint introduced sets the direction for our business to make a notable and tangible difference. Championing sustainability is of the utmost importance to Malaysia Airlines, and will continue to remain so as we look forward to welcoming customers back with our warm Malaysian hospitality once travel restrictions ease.”

Malaysia Airlines has received seven stars - full marks - from AirlineRatings.com in an independent review of its COVID-19 health and safety measures.

To take advantage of the airline’s great prices and outstanding Covid-19 safety record, guests can book their tickets at Malaysia Airlines’ participating travel agents or visit Malaysia Airlines’ website at www.malaysiaairlines.com