EASA to provide passengers with data on carbon efficiency of flights during booking
As of next year, EASA will inform passengers on the environmental impact of their flight at the booking stage, allowing passengers to choose connections based on carbon footprint data. When booking flights online, passengers will be able to see standardised information on the “carbon footprint” and “carbon efficiency” of flights in the European Union, along with an explanation of the result. This will be achieved via the Environmental Labelling Scheme, an initiative led by EASA.
To calculate the carbon footprint and carbon efficiency, EASA will look at actual historical data provided by airlines and project the carbon footprint per passenger and carbon efficiency for future flights. Using real operational data guarantees greater accuracy and reliability for the calculation.
Taking part in the Environmental Labelling Scheme will be voluntary for airlines. Airlines that choose to opt in will be required to submit flight data for all flights that fall under the scope of the initiative to EASA. They cannot choose to submit data only for certain routes. A further requirement for those who have opted in is that they need to display the result in their booking systems and so ensure that this information reaches the passengers. EASA is now launching an early adopters’ plan for interested airlines, to provide guidance and allow them to make an initial assessment.
Links:
- EASA Press Release: EASA to inform air passengers on the environmental impact of their flight
