Aer lingus28 Nov 2019 15:50
Aer Lingus owner IAG will explore the use of sustainable jet fuels at the Irish carrier as part of a major new initiative to make the airline group net neutral in carbon emissions by 2050, according to chief executive Willie Walsh.
Mr Walsh also welcomed the decision by the Irish Government to ringfence revenues raised from carbon taxes for use in climate action projects.
“The Taoiseach talked about hypothecating some of the carbon tax for environmental purposes, and we‘ve argued that that‘s what governments should do,” he said.
IAG, which also owns British Airways, Iberia, Vueling and Level, is investing in a new UK-based facility that will convert household waste – which could include waste generated by its own airlines – into jet fuel.
The airline group could also invest in similar plants elsewhere in the future, said Mr Walsh.
Speaking at London‘s Heathrow Airport, he declined to say how much equity IAG had invested in the new plant, which is being built in conjunction with specialist firm Velocys. However, he said IAG will invest $400m (€364.4m) in sustainable aviation fuel over the next 20 years.
Mr Walsh, a former Aer Lingus chief executive, said the airline would be able to reduce its carbon emissions, despite expanding, partly via new aircraft.
Aer Lingus has considerably expanded its transatlantic network since it was acquired by IAG in 2015.