Low-cost carrier Flair to report monthly emissions

Move allows passengers to understand their carbon footprint, manager says

Flair Airlines will roll out a monthly tracker for its emissions as part of its new environment social governance initiatives, the Edmonton-based low-cost carrier said at a news conference Wednesday.

“The reason we're doing that is it drives transparency for travellers to understand what their carbon footprint is when taking a flight,” said Amanda Mesluk, Flair's senior sustainability manager.

Flair released its inaugural environment social governance report for 2023 on Wednesday and introduced four sustainability guidelines to help keep its efforts on track — climate action, environmental stewardship, highest governance standard, and enriching communities.

It is a move the airline hopes its competitors will replicate. The new tracker will not affect the cost of travel, the company said.

Flair said that its climate action and economics are derived from efficiency, which is what keeps costs low for travellers and also is what keeps emissions down.

“Efficient travel doesn't have to cost more, and we're reducing our carbon footprint through choosing better, collaborating with our supply chain, and operating with less,” said Mesluk.

The fleet is predominantly comprised of Boeing 737 Max 8s, which Flair said has higher fuel efficiency with newer technology.

The airline also introduced pilotassistance technology to reduce the number of turns on the apron, coupled with a shift in cutting auxiliary power at the gate.

Flair said the move saved 720,000 kilograms in fuel over a three-month period in fall 2023, resulting in more than three-million kilos of savings in emissions.

The company said it has also made a move to more environmentally friendly on-flight practices, such as a reduction in single-use plastics by opting for biodegradable utensils.

Flair said it intends to increase its environmental stewardship on the ground by using a more efficient method of washing its aircraft that is expected to reduce water consumption during cleanings by 3,000 to 4,000 litres.

Inside the cabin, Flair set a target of reducing the amount of waste that comes off the aircraft by 50 per cent.

In 2023, the airline tried a recycling program in conjunction with ground crews and cabin crew for collecting and sorting recyclables. Flair said it hopes to expand the program in 2024 and to create “the business case” for other airlines to follow.

“Not all airports have the infrastructure to support the recycling of in-cabin waste, as well as the waste haulers. Those contracts haven't been set up. So we're really excited to not only just pilot this program to start reducing the waste in our cabins, but also share those lessons learned with aviation as a whole,” Mesluk said.

Flair discussed its social impact as a product of its engagement.

It said that in serving a large number of locations, the airline expanded its passengers to 4.5 million last year.

In its report, Flair said it helped to contribute more than $410 million to its passengers in savings.

The business reported supporting more than 8,400 jobs throughout its various base locations.

The airline said nearly half (48 per cent) of its employees are female, with more than half of the company's supervisors (57 per cent) made up of women.

Flair said it values its human capital as a key pillar of the ultra low cost-carbon business model.

“We've launched numerous networks, our diversity equity inclusion network, our women and leadership network, as well as we've launched a sustainability network which is a peer-led network,” Mesluk said.

The company also highlighted its active charity work, including the Charity Miles program, which supports charities and communities in need with air travel.

Flair donated more than 4,100 flights last year.

Not all airports have the infrastructure to support the recycling of in-cabin waste, as well as the waste haulers.