Airlines burnt 40% less fuel from flights in 2021 compared to the same period in 2019, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.
The findings come from the firm’s recently launched global aircraft emissions monitor, which measures levels of CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from flights flown globally.
The reduction in flight-produced carbon emissions was attributed by Cirium to the drop in flights worldwide because of the impact Covid-19 had on air travel. Flights tracked year-to-date are 29% down versus 2019.
The fuel burn has reportedly increased as domestic and international flights have started to return, but, according to the company, not as much as expected compared to 2019.
Jeremy Bowen, Cirium chief, said in order to achieve the "aggressive" targets for aviation to reach net zero emissions by 2050, a "thorough understanding is needed" of all elements of an aircraft used for flights and the exact flight operations.
"The need for greater sustainability is clear and Cirium is committed to supporting the industry’s decision-making based on accurate carbon emissions tracking," he added.
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