& nbsp
Author: Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Turkish Airlines
“Sustainable aviation” is more and more under the spotlight and for a good reason. But working towards this important objective is far from simple. At Turkish Airlines, we see it as a complete and realistic approach to minimize our environmental impact – but it is undeniable that the carbon lag is insufficient. The problem must be solved from several angles. In our case, the pillars are as follows: the integration of energy efficiency, operational improvements, the renewal of the fleet and the adoption of sustainable aeronautical fuels (SAF). In short, we strive to integrate sustainability into our operations and to engage passengers thanks to friendly platforms such as co -session.
Carbon footprint reduction measures
As mentioned above, our sustainability approach is several aspects and we work there for many years, long before “sustainability” was the fashionable word that it is today. Since 2008, Turkish Airlines has implemented more than 100 operational optimization projects aimed at increasing energy efficiency. In 2024 alone, these projects led to around 70,000 tonnes of fuel savings and prevented more than 220,000 tonnes of CO emissions. Our fuel economy committee and advanced fuel management information systems help ensure continuous improvements. We have made significant progress, but our main objective remains the same, namely to maintain operational efficiency and promote the use of SAF.
Elsewhere, we have launched projects such as “statistical contingency fuel” to minimize the excess fuel cart on theft using data analysis. In addition, we have removed single -use plastic cups, introduces FSC certified paper products and adopted lighter cabin equipment to reduce the weight and fuel consumption. Collectively, these initiatives improve both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Inspiring green thinking
It is imperative to motivate passengers on sustainability and there are several ways to go. To hire our passengers, we have developed a dedicated center – the co₂mission platform. Although this multifunctional platform does not directly eliminate carbon emissions, it provides passengers with a transparent and verified system, encouraging them to contribute to global climate action. In order to inspire the participation of passengers, we have put a lot of efforts to create a platform with a friendly interface, which allows them to easily calculate and compensate for their carbon footprint. Supported projects – all are all recognized at the international level and certified by VCS – include renewable energy production, the restoration of the ecosystem and community initiatives, allowing passengers to actively contribute to a world more respectful of the environment.
To offer a more detailed overview of these initiatives, the projects of “renewable energies” revolve around wind, solar and hydroelectric energy to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, while the “restoration of ecosystems” category helps to preserve natural ecosystems, increasing carbon sequestration capacity for a long -term impact. The third of the family of initiatives – “community care” – provides fuel economical stoves in developing regions to reduce carbon emissions and improve the quality of life of local communities.
We have noticed that projects that offer social benefits, such as community cooking initiatives, have been particularly popular, which has reached an increase in overall engagement. It is obvious that passengers appreciate seeing tangible impacts of their contributions. As for the physical experience in flight, we strive to raise awareness of sustainable practices such as digital menus and the use of biodegradable products. These initiatives aim to motivate passengers to become more concerned with the environment – whether in an airplane or elsewhere.
Future sustainability efforts
Without a doubt, limited availability and high production costs of SAF pose the greatest challenge for our industry. In 2024, SAF represented only 0.3% of the world use of jet fuel. The SAF production scaling and making it economically viable requires in -depth collaboration in the aviation sector, significant investments and support policies.
With regard to our own current efforts, we are fully invested in our mission to reduce our environmental impact and accelerate our sustainability initiatives in order to become a carbon neutral airline by 2050. To go there, we will fully use the multiforma strategy that we have developed over the years – and, as always, we will improve it. The areas of interest involve the increased use of sustainable aeronautical fuels, the continuous modernization of fleets and the expansion of data optimization projects based on data. In addition, we have published our “climate transition plan”. Comlacement has no place in the environment for the environment, and Turkish Airlines is determined to continue investing in new technologies to further reduce our environmental footprint.