OREANDA-NEWS. April 06, 2009. Aeroflot Russian Airlines JSC and International Sheremetyevo Airport JSC have approved their Joint Energy Saving Program for 2009-2011, reported the press-centre of Aeroflot.

The program has been designed to improve effectiveness of energy resources utilization and reduce the negative environmental influence of both companies. Following IATA recommendations, Aeroflot remains the driver of the environmental innovations in the industry.

The program comprises a complex of activities aimed at more efficient consumption of fuel, electric and caloric energy, and improvement of environmental efficiency. Special emphasis is given to organizational improvements, involving little additional expenses. The anti-crisis character of the planned measures is based on a strict accountability and austerity regime along with new technologies implementation.

The program’s main objectives include: reduction of financial expenditures on fuel and energy operations, development and implementation of energy-efficient technologies, equipment, construction and insulation materials, accounting devices, and automated systems for energy consumption management. Among its key items are renovation and modernization of Aeroflot’s air fleet, optimization of land and flight operations, provision of better efficiency of environmental protection activities and rational management of natural resources.

In 2009-2010, it is planned to conduct an energy inspection of International Sheremetyevo Airport (ISA) JSC and Aeroflot JSC to pinpoint ineffective practices of energy consumption, transportation and production.

The inspection results will determine the loss-reducing measures to be implemented. In particular, the reconstruction of the Sheremetyevo-2 terminal in 2010 will include replacement of energy consuming equipment with the new and more economical one. There is a necessity to precisely define the technically and economically justified consumption ratios for heat, cold and hot water. The companies have acknowledged the necessity to start buying energy from wholesalers during this year, after a proper reorganization steps.

This can reduce purchasing costs by 30-40 million RUB. By 2020, Aeroflot fleet restructuring, with older energy intensive aircraft types replaced by the new fuel-efficient ones, along with other actions, will result in specific POL consumption by the fleet reduced by 42% compared to 2007.

Based upon ISA and Aeroflot’s environmental inspection and its recommendations, the companies will take measures to provide more rational utilization of natural resources and environmental protection. For this purpose, Sheremetyevo Airport is planning development of a sanitary protection zone allowing the company to reduce air pollution in the nearby residential areas. The system for aviation noise control will provide a solution to the noise problem which is also faced by the people living near the airport.

Aeroflot intends to bring its production facilities and operations in compliance with the international standards for environmental protection (ISO 14000). The company will build on the e-ticket practices that provide a way to give up paper tickets, and thus preserve large amounts of woodland. During its life, the program will focus on introduction of highly recyclable materials used in passenger servicing in order to minimize the waste impact on the environment.
The joint program bases on the plans annually developed by both companies.

The program represents a logic development of Aeroflot’s own program for energy saving and environmental efficiency improvement until 2020, approved in August 2008 by the company’s Board of Directors. The program, being part of Aeroflot’s Development Strategy, was worked out by the company’s administration in pursuance of the President’s Order No. 889 as of June 4 2008 “On measures aimed at improvement of energy and environmental efficiency of the Russian economy”.