Riyadh, January 29, 2024, According to a sustainability report released by flynas, the airline has successfully reduced carbon emissions by more than 161,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in its operations over an 18-month period. This reduction is equivalent to planting approximately 6.44 million trees, underscoring flynas' commitment to environmentally conscious practices in alignment with Saudi Arabia's goal to achieve net neutrality in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The company's sustainability initiatives focused on three key objectives: maximizing fuel efficiency, embracing digital transformation, and implementing environmentally sustainable practices with impacts on the environment, society, and the economy.
In the pursuit of fuel efficiency, flynas modernized its fleet, comprising 64 aircraft, with the state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo. These aircraft, constituting 73% of the fleet, contributed to a significant monthly reduction of 7,200 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting 288,000 trees monthly. The A320neo's efficiency in reducing fuel consumption by 18% and CO2 emissions by 8% per 100 cycles per minute, compared to previous-generation aircraft, was highlighted in the report.
Additionally, flynas implemented technical solutions in collaboration with top international tech providers to monitor, analyze, and reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions, enhancing overall flight operation efficiency. Plans are in place to phase out older-generation classic-engine A320 aircraft by the end of 2024, further contributing to reduced CO2 emissions.
In the realm of digital transformation, flynas has been a pioneer since its establishment, being the first airline in Saudi Arabia to introduce digital tickets and boarding passes in 2007. The airline has continued to adopt digital solutions not only for customer-facing products but also within operations. Smart devices in cockpit procedures have reduced paper consumption and saved fuel. Collaboration with global aviation tech providers has enhanced maintenance, engineering, and logistics functions. An electronic platform for Umrah marketing and electronic Umrah visas is also in development.
In its commitment to enhancing sustainability, flynas has signed up for the United Nations Global Compact, making it the first Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) in the Middle East to join this significant corporate sustainability initiative. The airline has also joined the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), aligning with global efforts to promote sustainable tourism.
To address waste management, flynas signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) to explore partnership opportunities and adopt ideal recycling solutions for waste materials like oils, plastics, and batteries.
The company is actively involved in community initiatives, such as sponsoring King Saud University's Distinguished and Talented Students Program. Additionally, passengers can digitally donate to charities while booking, with donations supporting the Association for Children with Disabilities.
Flynas is dedicated to providing job opportunities for various segments of society. Notably, it has empowered Saudi women to join the Air Hospitality program, contributing to a 51% localization rate in air hospitality. The company's Future Pilots Program achieved a 100% localization rate for co-pilot positions.
In alignment with cultural initiatives, flynas decorated one of its aircraft in support of the "Year of Saudi Coffee 2022" and sponsored development flights to coffee-growing areas. The airline has also collaborated with the Ministry of Culture in initiatives like the "Year of Arabic Calligraphy 2021."
To foster knowledge-sharing in the aviation sector, flynas has organized the "Let's Talk Aviation" forum over the past four years, bringing together decision-makers, industry professionals, and representatives from domestic and foreign airlines.
