Continental Airlines Celebrates Earth Day by Spotlighting Commitment to Environmental Awareness

"At Continental, we take environmental responsibility seriously, and we have for more than ten years," said Leah Raney, Continental's managing director of global environmental affairs. "Continental has comprehensive programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; promote recycling inflight and at its facilities; support alternative fuel development; construct facilities responsibly; and offer customers a thoughtful carbon offsetting option. We're celebrating our accomplishments on Earth Day, but our commitment really extends to every day of the year, and to every facet of our operation."

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Continental flies the most fuel-efficient fleet of any major U.S. airline, and, since 1997, the airline has reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by 38 percent per revenue passenger mile. Every year since 1997, Continental has flown more people, more miles, to more locations. At the same time, the airline has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by four million metric tons by modernizing its fleet.

"The No. 1 way that an airline can substantively reduce its impact on the environment is by lowering greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft by reducing the amount of fuel we burn," Raney said.

Continental's fuel efficiency improvements are due in large part to an investment of more than $13 billion during the past 12 years to acquire 300 fuel-efficient aircraft and related equipment. All Continental aircraft are twin-engine aircraft, which burn less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide (CO2) than comparable three- and four-engine aircraft.

In addition to flying fuel-efficient aircraft types, Continental has equipped its fleet with fuel-saving modifications to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, more than 97 percent of our narrowbody aircraft are equipped with winglets, which are wingtip extensions that lower aircraft drag and result in up to a five (5) percent reduction in emissions and noise. Continental has also installed advanced-technology GE90 3D Aero Blades – a more efficient fan blade – on its Boeing 777 engines, reducing emissions and fuel consumption on the airline's longest-range aircraft.

Going forward, Continental has also committed to invest in additional new, fuel-efficient aircraft and ground equipment worth more than $10 billion, with even cleaner technology, through 2016. This includes Continental's order for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Continental has placed one of the largest orders for this aircraft, with 25 scheduled for delivery.

By improving operational procedures, Continental has further reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The airline employs an enhanced flight-planning system to minimize fuel burn and will be implementing a new flight-planning system with next-generation technology. Where possible, aircraft are parked at the gate with air conditioning and electric power via alternative, energy-saving methods rather than using the aircraft's own auxiliary power units. Continental uses ground equipment instead of aircraft engines to move aircraft from gate to gate whenever possible, and only one engine during ground taxi whenever possible.

Continental's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions extends to its operations on the ground. The airline uses Low Emissions Vehicles and electric ground service equipment where possible, and through the use of such equipment has reduced by 75 percent nitrogen oxide emissions from ground equipment at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport, Continental's largest hub.

At the airline's New York hub at Newark Liberty, employees have worked together to establish a local "Green Team," and during their third annual Earth Day event, this team is unveiling new hybrid employee buses, which will further reduce Continental's greenhouse gas emissions.

"Our team of employee volunteers works hard to review our impact on the environment at Newark Liberty, and we thought that one of the best ways we could make a difference was to start using hybrid buses to transport workers from the parking lots to the terminals," said Newark Facilities Maintenance Director and "Green Team" leader Nick Klym.

Recycling

"Continental has had a recycling program in place for many years, but in 2008 and 2009, we took steps to expand that program," Raney said. "We now recycle onboard our aircraft, at our airport terminals and at other supporting facilities, like our food service kitchens, and we've seen excellent results already – such as 6.1 million pounds of recyclables collected from our hub operations."

Recyclables include newspapers, cans, cardboard, and plastic bottles contributed by co-workers and customers via designated "EcoSkies" recycling bins in hub airport terminals and support facilities.