Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has been named ‘Environmental Airline of the Year 2022’ in the annual Airline Ratings awards. The ranking recognises Etihad’s industry-leading strategy to improve aviation sustainability for both the airline itself and the entire industry.
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change chose the UAE as host for COP 28 which will take place in 2023. Etihad’s achievement is fully aligned with Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s own commitment to work with the international community to accelerate global efforts to address climate change and environmental protection and create a more sustainable economic future.
The airline recently published the Etihad Airways Sustainability Report which Airline Ratings deemed as a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives.
“Our ambition to become a leader in aviation sustainability has taken us on a journey to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment, not just for Etihad, but for the entire industry.
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group
“We continue to explore and test all possible ways to decarbonise – from research into sustainable aviation fuels and contrail avoidance to offsets and reforestation through the Etihad Mangroves. The Sustainability Report we published earlier this year is a culmination of our efforts demonstrating the work we have done and what we have learned so far and I would encourage everyone to read it.”
Etihad’s sustainability initiatives began with a focus on creating operational efficiencies. The airline quickly went on to unite industry leaders and build the most comprehensive, cross organisational aviation sustainability initiative ever undertaken. This umbrella programme, now in its third year, includes partnerships with Boeing, GE, Airbus and Rolls Royce, as well as a wide range of collaborations with pioneering new-technology organisations, academic researchers, smaller businesses and start-ups.