Virgin Atlantic saves 1,000 tonnes of fuel in industry leading pilot led programme

Virgin Atlantic saves 1,000 tonnes of fuel in industry leading pilot led programme

Virgin Atlantic captains have saved the equivalent of 1,000 tonnes of fuel in under six months using Signol, a behavioural economics and data science app designed to reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions.

The Signol platform uses data analysis to provide recommendations on a personalised basis on how to fly most efficiently from a fuel burn perspective. Captains are provided with individual feedback to reduce fuel usage based on optimised fuel efficiency behaviours, whilst complying with all standards of fuel management and flight safety.

Virgin Atlantic operates one of the youngest, cleanest, twin engine fleets in the skies and the roll out the Signol software earlier this year forms part of the airline’s commitment to reducing carbon.

Read more: Virgin Atlantic Cargo adds Releye containers to its portfolio of ULDs

“We’ve been on a pathway to reduce fuel and carbon in our fuel efficiency programme for over a decade, whilst always looking for innovations that take us to the next level. The Signol software uses data science and behavioural economics to assist our Captains in making the most sustainable choices to reduce carbon emissions and fuel burn. In addition to our multi-billion dollar investment in fleet transformation to ensure we are operating one of the youngest, cleanest fleets, we continue to invest in innovation and technology partners across the industry who help us on our mission to create a low carbon future at pace. Signol’s ability to deliver further fuel reductions assists us in continuously moving the dial,” Corneel Koster, Chief Customer & Operating Officer at Virgin Atlantic, said.

“The aviation industry is demanding environmental solutions that aren’t capital intensive and slow-moving. We’re delighted to be working with Virgin Atlantic to deliver just that – the equivalent to £1m in fuel saved in a matter of months. There is so much work going into decarbonising the aviation industry, but developing new technologies and fuels takes time. Signol helps businesses tweak behaviours to reduce carbon emissions from day one and achieve meaningful fuel savings in a matter of months through behaviour change alone,” Natasha Gedge, COO of Signol, said.

Read more: Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Airbase GSE agreement

The three-year deal between Virgin Atlantic and Signol follows the success of an initial pilot study in 2014 in which 24,000 metric tons of CO2 was saved across an 8-month period.

Virgin Atlantic achieved a 17% reduction in CO2 per RTK by 2019 by modernising its fleet and improving its operational efficiency and has committed to a 15% gross reduction in CO2 per RTK by 2026 through continued fleet transformation and operational efficiency gains.

The airline’s recent introduction of up to sixteen A330-900neo aircraft will see an 11% fuel and carbon saving compared to the A330-300s they replace, and a 50% reduction in airport noise contour.

Picture of Edward Hardy

Edward Hardy

Having become a journalist after university, Edward Hardy has been a reporter and editor at some of the world's leading publications and news sites. In 2022, he became Air Cargo Week's Editor. Got news to share? Contact me on Edward.Hardy@AirCargoWeek.com

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