Delta's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, while driving a more sustainable future for travel, is ongoing and focused on three things: what we fly, how we fly and the fuel we use. While we currently implement changes that are within our control, such as reducing single-use plastics and reducing fuel consumption, Delta is developing long-term solutions to fully decarbonize its operations and the industry. During Earth Month and beyond, Delta is advancing its path to net zero emissions, engaging both its team and its customers in this journey through various initiatives.
THIS MONTH
Delta teams will celebrate Earth Month through a series of engagements and activations that will unite their people with Delta's bold vision for a more sustainable future of travel.
CHaRM CORPORATE CHALLENGE: During the month of April, GREEN UP, Delta's sustainability-focused business resource group, will partner with the Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials (CHaRM) to bring held a corporate recycling challenge at its Atlanta headquarters. Last year, Delta ranked first for achieving the most recycled materials.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: April is also World Volunteer Month, offering numerous opportunities for Delta employees to participate in volunteer activities throughout the month, including yard cleanups in ATL, beach cleanups in MIA, cleaning parks in NYC, among others.
TRAVEL GUIDE BY DELTA EMPLOYEES: Throughout the month, Delta's social media channels will feature a new Travel Guide created by the company's employees, highlighting first-hand their recommendations for more sustainable travel and experiences. traveling in the same way.
“EARTH MONTH” COLLECTION IN INBOARD ENTERTAINMENT: Travelers on Delta can explore our planet from the skies, with a curated “Earth Month” selection in Delta Studio. Enjoy a variety of documentaries and content designed to educate and inspire on Delta's award-winning inflight entertainment.
THIS YEAR
A year ago, Delta set out our short-, medium- and long-term aspirations to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As we continue to work toward these goals, 2024 will see progress in several areas:
INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABILITY INTO ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS: Teams in each division have a significant impact on Delta's sustainability goals, as each employee can influence fuel consumption, weight and waste. For this reason, Delta has introduced new key operational performance indicators in sustainability to involve all officials and unify efforts towards the company's sustainability goals. This includes important metrics such as Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) run time between flights, which currently averages 65 minutes. Reducing just one minute of system-wide run time could save approximately 1.2 million gallons of fuel annually. Weight efficiency is also addressed through considered adjustments to onboard service weight.
DRIVING FUEL SAVINGS: Delta's Carbon Council continues to advance fuel savings initiatives aligned with the airline's strategic decarbonization goals. Delta teams have collaborated to achieve impact, through weight reduction, improvements in landing procedures and optimizations in flight routing and speed. This year, the Delta Carbon Council plans to build on the more than 20 million gallons of fuel saved in 2023.
INCREASING THE USE OF SAF: SAF is currently the most promising resource to accelerate the airline's decarbonization goals. However, available supply is far from sufficient to meet global demand, so Delta is taking its responsibility by advocating with state and federal partners for policies that boost SAF production. This year, Delta is focusing its efforts on supporting SAF incentive programs in Michigan and New York, while also supporting the Minnesota SAF Hub, dedicated to expanding the SAF industry in the Delta Hub of the state. Minnesota.
MODIFYING THE CURRENT FLEET: In recent years, Delta has installed improved winglets and lighter landing gear in its fleet, with the aim of maximizing its efficiency. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Delta will complete modifications to upgrade the saber-split winglets on the 737-800 fleet. This milestone will mark the completion of Delta's incorporation of the most advanced winglet technology available into all existing fleets that can be modified.
REDUCTION OF SINGLE-USE PLASTICS ON FLIGHTS: Starting in December 2023, Delta began testing to replace plastic cups with paper cups on transcontinental flights, a development that, if fully implemented, would eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics on board annually. This change would bring Delta one step closer to its goal of minimizing single-use plastics on board by 2025. Depending on test results, paper cups are expected to be rolled out across Delta's network by the end of 2024.
THIS DECADE
The years 2030 and 2035 will mark important milestones in Delta's strategic roadmap to achieve all of its sustainability goals. Over the next ten years, Delta will advance a number of key efforts and achievements, including:
THE RISE OF EVTOL: Delta set a goal of pursuing five strategic partnerships with innovative technology players, beginning in 2025 with its investment in Joby Aviation, a pioneer in home-to-airport transportation with its EVTOL aircraft. Delta and Joby are focusing their attention on Delta's main airports in New York and Los Angeles, where this service will be available to Delta customers. We imagine that, within this decade, Delta passengers will be able to book an eVTOL ride from Manhattan to JFK Airport, avoiding New York's congested traffic, traveling by air with Joby, before boarding their Delta flight.
SAF IMPLEMENTATION: As we continue to build momentum in promoting government incentives to expand the SAF industry, Delta expects further growth in the SAF market, thanks to greater collaboration across the productive value chain. With policies that support SAF production and offset the additional cost, Delta could use SAF more broadly across its operation and meet the goal of 10 percent SAF by the end of 2030 and 35 percent by 2035. To date, Delta has signed purchase agreements for more than 200 million gallons of SAF, representing approximately half of the 2030 goal.
FLEET UPGRADE: Each new aircraft introduced into the Delta network is more fuel efficient than the aircraft being retired. For example, Delta's recently announced order for 20 next-generation A350-1000s, which will begin delivery in 2026 for international operations, will be up to 20 percent more fuel efficient than the widebody aircraft being shipped. they will withdraw. As Delta plans to take delivery of new aircraft over the next decade, they will further contribute to fuel savings.
THIS CENTURY
Next year, Delta will celebrate its centennial. As the company prepares to commemorate this milestone, it also looks ahead to the next 100 years of flight. For this reason, Delta is collaborating with technology leaders and innovators in aviation to reimagine the future of flight through the Delta Sustainable Skies Laboratory. More than just financial investments, Delta combines its operational expertise with the creativity of innovators to inspire new ideas and advance industry progress. The Laboratory is not only a place to showcase advances, but also a movement to galvanize all stakeholders in creating a more sustainable future of flight.
HYDROGEN-POWERED AIRCRAFT: Delta partnered with Airbus on its ZEROe program, which is working on the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft. The partnership includes exploring hydrogen technology, as well as understanding the realities of airport infrastructure and the entire ecosystem needed to produce and supply hydrogen as a potential safe and reliable fuel source.
REVOLUTIONARY AIRCRAFT DESIGN: Delta has also partnered with Boeing and NASA on its Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program to explore a Transonic Boom Wing (TTBW), which would revolutionize aircraft design and provide improved significant in fuel efficiency. Delta is working to ensure the longer, more streamlined wing design remains operable and reliable.
“Sustainability is a business priority at Delta. While Earth Month is a time to unite around sustainability efforts, Delta works year-round to prepare the company for a more sustainable future of flying," shared Amelia DeLuca, Delta's Chief Sustainability Officer. Air Lines. "I am incredibly inspired by the people at Delta who work every day to help create a better, more sustainable Delta for future generations."
Source: Delta.