Southwest Airlines announced its 10-year environmental sustainability plan on Monday. This includes the reduction of carbon emissions by at least 20% by 2030. Also, it is looking to replace 10% of its total jet fuel consumption with sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.
The airline plans to accomplish all these by using different methods including modernizing its fleet and optimizing routes. According to Executive Vice President and Incoming CEO Bob Jordan, “we’re setting goals to reduce our carbon emission intensity and increase SAF in our operations, and we’re working to advance knowledge in the field of sustainability”.
Another initiative by Southwest is to provide the “first US-based airline carbon offset offer with loyalty points”. Every dollar contributed towards helping the airline offset carbon emission, Southwest will match the contribution.
Rapid Rewards Members can earn 10 Rapid Rewards bonus points per dollar that they’ve contributed towards the purchase of offsets. Rapid Rewards Members can enjoy a maximum of 500 Rapid Rewards bonus points per month. These points will be given directly to the Rapid Rewards account number of the passenger.
Sustainability Plan Beyond The 10-Year horizon
Southwest’s sustainability efforts go beyond the 10 years. The ultimate goal for the carrier is to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
A huge part of reaching its sustainability plan includes fleet replacement. Southwest will readily invest more than $10 billion for its fuel-efficient fleet. Southwest will retire more of its Boeing 737-700 Next Generation Planes. The airline is going to replace them with more fuel-efficient Boeing 737 Max 7 and Max 8 aircraft. Aside from lower emissions, this also means lower per-seat costs.
Then, the airline will also work with the Federal Aviation Administration on the NextGen Program. This program is designed to modernize the air traffic control system. This will address limitations on air transportation capacity and also make airspace more efficient. The NextGen Program is in addition to the new technology that will reduce taxi wait times and delays.
Southwest will also start using electric vehicles for its ground services. The airline will invest in 1,400 electric vehicles.
