How Vueling’s sustainability plan can be seen in action

Vueling, which forms part of IAG, is dedicated to growing and developing in a sustainable way as it commits to tackling climate change and reducing its environmental footprint. The low-cost carrier has several key focuses, including reducing the volume of CO2 emissions it releases, waste management and using eco-friendly materials onboard. 

SLASHING EMISSIONS 

Vueling’s customers are now given the option to select the type of fuel used for their flight to help reduce their carbon footprint. By making a small contribution they can opt for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with Vueling matching the amount. 

The initiative launched at the end of June, and in the first three months more than 40,000 passengers made the switch. Vueling used more than 20 tons of SAF, which prevented the emission of 60 tons of CO2. Vueling calculated that’s equivalent to the amount created by 12 flights between Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca using traditional jet fuel. 

Parent company IAG became the first airline group in Europe to commit to using SAF on 10% of its flights by 2030 and will invest $400 million in SAF in the next 20 years. Through its Flightpath Net Zero programme, IAG has created a package of measures to reduce its carbon footprint, with a long-term goal of reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. 

INVOLVING CUSTOMERS 

Vueling has embraced these measures spearheaded by IAG, and also has its own sustainable roadmap. It swapped to digital flight documentation to save paper, and streamlined equipment, such as trolleys, to reduce the weight onboard aircraft. The airline also eliminated plastic from in-flight catering.