T&L:What are the practices and achievements of Qatar Airways in sustainable travel so far? What is the next promotion strategy?
Mr. Chan:As the first airline in the Middle East to receive the top-level certification from International Air Transport Association (IATA) Environmental Assessment Program, Qatar Airways has a long-standing commitment to reducing its impact on the environment and continues to promote tourism and aviation while vigorously pursuing energy and carbon reduction initiatives. As a member of the Oneworld, Qatar Airways is firmly committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in 2050, using advanced aircraft technology and fuel optimization program, in line with the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) to better implement its carbon reduction strategy in all aspects.
In the future, Qatar Airways will continue to progress towards its 2050 net zero carbon goal. In 2022, Qatar Airways launched a new carbon offset scheme, which brought together passengers to voluntarily use the carbon credits purchased under the program. All proceeds from it would be used to offset carbon of the Fatanpur Wind Farm project in India directly through Qatar Airways' partner ClimateCare. In continuation of this plan, Qatar Airways is committed to furthering the cause of environmental protection and bringing about greater social benefits. As a member of Oneworld, Qatar Airways will also begin delivery of the 25 million US gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) it has contracted to purchase from Gevo in 2028. It is committed to achieving 10 percent substitution and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by 2030, continuing to work towards its net zero carbon emissions goal.
Besides, Qatar Airways also focused on inflight catering and aviation waste recycling. Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC) has reused of nearly 1688 tons of aviation waste per year. To reduce aircraft fuel consumption and carbon emissions, QACC has also established strong partnerships with destination fruit and vegetable suppliers to reduce the use of imported ingredients and cut down on onboard utensils and fabric supplies by nearly 257 tons. Contributing to carbon reduction, Qatar Airways will continue to reduce its aircrafts’ energy consumption and embrace a greener future.
T&L:What challenges do you think sustainable travel faces today? What strategies should aviation industry take to address these challenges?
Mr. Chan:With the loosening of the domestic epidemic policy, domestic and outbound travel has also gradually resumed, and the number of self-guided tour tourists has increased sharply. This is a considerable challenge for the carrying capacity of destination scenic spots, the accelerated layout of low-carbon tourism, and the corresponding travel capacity provision at home and abroad. As the first airline ever to be awarded the industry's highest accolade of 'Airline of the Year' by Skytrax for the seventh time, Qatar Airways will increase its all-round carbon reduction strategy to promote sustainable travel to the fullest extent possible through the use of the airline's advanced aircraft technology and fuel optimization programs. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways will join thousands of travelers in upholding the Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme as a valuable and effective way to continuously reduce carbon emissions in destinations and accelerate the development of sustainable travel to them.
T&L:What are the positive effects of sustainable travel on the realization of global carbon reduction goals? How to further develop the potential of sustainable travel in this regard?
Mr. Chan:By reducing the carbon emissions generated during the journey, sustainable travel not only protects the ecological environment to the greatest extent possible but also has a positive impact on the tourist destination, improving residents’ life quality and driving sustainable economic development, protecting future tourism resources by green travel, minimizing damage to the natural environment to maintain the ecological balance, and balancing the harmonious development of people and nature with the continuous promotion of the tourism economy. Sustainable travel has become a new trend. The tourism industry should provide consumers with more low-carbon travel options and focus on the destination cultural tourism experience, increasing advocacy for nature conservation and biodiversity and shaping the future of sustainable travel.
T&L:How can sustainable travel interact with the economic development and community development of the destination? What experiences and achievements can Qatar Airways share?
Mr. Chan:As the national airline of Qatar, Qatar Airways is committed to connecting the world and promoting international exchange and regional trade, with a global network of more than 150 destinations through its hub at Doha Hamad International Airport (HIA), named the ‘Best Airport in the World” by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022. Among many destinations, the villages of Taluk Dewas, Tonkkhurd and Tarana Taluk of Dewas and Ujjain in the central of India are benefiting from the wind turbines installed by ClimateCare, the Qatar Airways and climate and sustainable professional enterprise. National Grid of India also receives clean electricity from the project, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 210,000 tons per year and effectively saving energy.
Additionally, as the official airline of The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Qatar Airways unites fans globally through Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar for the greatest sporting show. Hamad International Airport, ranked “Best Airport in the World” for the second year in a row by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2022, unveiled a state-of-the-art 10,000-sqm, lush, tropical indoor garden named “The Orchard.” Drenched in natural light and featuring sustainably sourced plants and shrubs, the garden returns to nature and provides a convenient and comfortable retreat for travelers, while demonstrating the responsibility and commitment to environmental protection of Doha, Qatar.
T&L:What is the responsibility of sustainable travel for biodiversity conservation? What practical experience does Qatar Airways have to share?
Mr. Chan:As an inaugural signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in March 2016 and a founding member of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, Qatar Airways has a zero-tolerance policy towards the Illegal trade in endangered wildlife. In 2020, Qatar Airways Cargo launched a new chapter of its sustainability program WeQare: Rewild the Planet, focused on escorting wild animals back to their natural homes for free. Qatar Airways Cargo assisted the NGO Warriors of Wildlife (WOW) in the rescue and rehomed seven lions from Kiev, Ukraine to Doha, Qatar to Johannesburg, South Africa to return to the embrace of nature, under the premise of ensuring the animals’ health. In addition, Qatar Airways has always taken a strong stance against the wildlife trafficking and illegal trade of wild animals and is a sincere guardian of the friends who live on the same planet with us.
T&L:What are the new measures of Qatar Airways for sustainable travel in recent years? How about the effect?
Mr. Chan:Qatar Airways has one of the youngest fleets in the world, consisting of the Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and 737 Max. This modern, low-fuel consumption fleet produces approximately 25% fewer emissions than the previous generation of aircraft, providing a sustainable and adaptable solution for future travel. In 2022, Qatar Airways showcased the new Gulfstream G650ER aircraft at EBACE2022 using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The new model continues Qatar Airways' commitment to environmental sustainability. In the same year, Qatar Airways expanded its fleet with a significant order for and adoption of the new Boeing 777-8 Freighter, the latest addition to the 777X family, which features new advanced technology and market-leading proven performance, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions and operating costs, accelerating sustainable growth in the aviation industry.
Besides, as the first airline in the world to use General Electric's (GE) "360 Foam Cleaning" technology on its aircraft engines, Qatar Airways replaces traditional water washing methods with advanced cleaning systems and uses recycled wastewater for irrigation of green facilities at Hamad International Airport and condensate from building air conditioners for daily office cleaning. Qatar Airways adheres to give the experience and expertise in implementing top hygiene measures during the epidemic and uses the Honeywell’s state-of-the-art Ultraviolet Cabin System for a hassle-free travelling experience. Compared to conventional cleaning systems. This system adds a hand wand that does not need to be operated electrically, which not only saves energy and protects the environment, but also allows for targeted-clean of the cockpit and other special confined spaces. Qatar Airways always implemented all-round effective epidemic prevention and control measures to protect thousands of passengers. Qatar Airways has implemented an all-round effective COVID-19 outbreak prevention and control measures to protect thousands of passengers.
The development of sustainable travel and technological innovation could mutually reinforce each other. In years to come, Qatar Airways will continue its commitment to sustainable travel, using technology to enhance material resource utilization and accelerating green journey to become a regular travel option.
T&L:Science and technology play a very important role in the support and innovation of sustainable travel. Does Qatar Airways have any cases to share in this regard? What are the following strategies for strengthening the application of technology in sustainable travel?
Mr. Chan:As mentioned above, Qatar Airways has launched effective initiatives for sustainable travel, including the 2050 net zero carbon emissions target with energy efficiency and emissions reduction as the primary objective, the Voluntary Carbon Offset Programme for passengers in 2022 and the continuous optimization and upgrading of its fuel schemes. There are also innovative technologies developed with low carbon efficiency in view, including a modern, low fuel consumption fleet and the Honeywell’s state-of-the-art Ultraviolet Cabin System during the epidemic. Besides, Qatar Airways Cargo launched a new chapter of its sustainability programme WeQare: Rewild the Planet, in 2020 to protect wild animals and voluntarily helped rehome seven rescued lions in 2021. Qatar Airways, the official airline of the FIFA World Cup 2022, has been focusing on developing and disseminating sports and the arts in the destination cities and offering a series of football-themed events during the World Cup. Combining local arts and culture with travel to create an outstanding travel experience for its passengers, Qatar Airways expresses its vision for the future of sustainable tourism.
T&L:What do you think should be done to improve the awareness and attention of global travelers on sustainable travel? What specific actions can aviation industry take?
Mr. Chan:In the post-epidemic era, travelers are becoming more aware of nature conservation issues and are open to sustainable travel. Meanwhile, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of how the concept of sustainable travel applies to real travel experience. As a member of the aviation industry and tourism, it is indispensable for Qatar Airways to provide a complete and mature sustainable travel service to ensure a wonderful and comfortable travel experience for all travelers. The aviation industry can provide travelers with more convenient and clearly marked green travel products that they can regard them as their first choice before their trip. The industry needs to continue to provide consumers with more quality choices and introduce more abundant and high-quality sustainable travel products in the future.
