For airlines to thrive in today’s sustainable business landscape Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles are fundamental. By effectively managing relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, governments, and the environment, airlines can contribute significantly to a more sustainable future aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the aviation industry’s substantial share of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for approximately 2.5% and its support of over 87.7 million jobs worldwide, embracing ESG principles is a strategic necessity for the aviation sector players.

A key focus of ESG in the aviation industry is reducing the environmental impact through carbon emissions reduction, investment in renewable energy and promotion of energy efficiency in line with SDG 13. Kenya Airways (KQ) is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in alignment with global aviation industry goals, through participating in The Aviation Challenge (TAC), previously ‘The Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC), by SkyTeam alliance. As part of the challenge, KQ piloted the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a long-haul flight from Africa to Europe in 2023, generating valuable data and insights for policy and regulatory framework reforms. This earned the national carrier recognition as one of the African airlines to lead the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Registry early this year. KQ continues its participation in the TAC this year with the challenge set to begin on Wednesday, 4th September 2024, with the inaugural sustainable flight on the Nairobi to New York City route.

Fleet modernization is another crucial element in reducing CO2 emissions within the aviation industry. Newer aircraft models are equipped with advanced engines that significantly enhance fuel efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The airline through its fleet modernization initiatives, has retired older, fuel-inefficient aircraft and replaced them with a younger fleet with an average age of 10 years. The acquisition of the Boeing 787 aircraft has been a significant milestone in KQ’s sustainability efforts, featuring cutting-edge technology that contributes to lower CO2 emissions and reduced noise pollution. According to Boeing, the 787 Dreamliner is approximately 20% more fuel-efficient than similarly sized aircraft.

Beyond fleet modernization, airlines significantly enhance fuel efficiency through operational advancements. Optimising flight routes reducing on-board weight and improving maintenance practices play a significant role in reducing an airline’s overall carbon footprint. To this end,KQ has invested in advanced flight planning systems to optimize flight paths and minimize fuel burn. The airline has also implemented several measures to minimize fuel consumption including continuous descent approaches, idle reverse landing, reduced flap landing and single-engine taxiing. Regular engine maintenance is also a priority, supported by performance monitoring programs to ensure engines operate optimally, reducing fuel consumption. By adopting these initiatives, the national carrier is making significant strides in reducing its overall carbon footprint.

While environmental sustainability is the cornerstone of ESG in aviation, the social pillars are also crucial in driving business growth. Kenya Airways’ actions focused on SDGs 8 (Descent work and economic growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) foster innovation enhance business partner relations and create a supportive environment for all stakeholders. This is demonstrated through the national carrier’s investment in employee development, enhancement of customer satisfaction and passenger safety prioritization.

Beyond these core areas, the airline’s social impact of ESG also includes innovative solutions to enhance customer experience. For instance, the recently launched KQ Holidays platform provides a seamless holiday booking experience through user-friendly digital platforms, allowing customers to access information, book flights, and manage their travel itineraries from the comfort of their homes. By investing in personalized services and leveraging technology effectively, the Airline not only enhances the overall customer experience but also promotes inclusivity by catering to a diverse range of travellers.

To extend its ESG achievements and advancements towards “green travel,” KQ seeks to continue embracing technological innovation across its operations. Digital advancements are crucial for improving the airline’s efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing the customer experience. By integrating IT solutions, Kenya Airways can more accurately streamline flight operations, monitor and optimize energy consumption and emissions, further boosting the airline’s efficiency.

However, developing and implementing these technological solutions requires collaboration and shared expertise. On this account, Kenya Airways has collaborated with the IASP conference, which aims to explore the role played by science parks and areas of innovation in empowering regions such as Africa and Asia to harness the potential of their burgeoning youth demographic, entrepreneurship, and technology for economic growth. Through this partnership the airline opens collaboration opportunities with industry peers, technology providers, and other stakeholders, to drive innovation and achieve its sustainability goals more effectively.