Virgin Australia has committed to a target of Net Zero Emissions by 2050.
The 2050 commitment will complement Virgin Australia’s existing sustainability measures, including being the first airline in Australia to test Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the supply chain.
The airline has previously announced the addition of more fuel efficient MAX 10 aircraft to its fleet (commencing in 2023), and has already made substantial progress in reducing on-board waste, holding Australian-based environmental partnerships to underpin its carbon offsets.
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka, said: “We’ve all got an obligation to do the very best job we can at protecting the environment and protecting our futures.I really don’t think we have a choice but to commit to Net Zero emissions by 2050.
“While SAF is an essential piece of the puzzle, there’s a lot more to it than that. Making sure we’re using recyclable items, making sure all of our ground activity is done with zero emissions, and we’re using sustainable fuels throughout our processes – wherever that’s possible.
“Working with all of our partners to ensure [this] end-to-end. We’re thinking through supply chain opportunities, [and] offsetting our carbon emissions where that’s practical and feasible to do.”
Hrdlicka said customers were becoming increasingly conscious of their own carbon footprints, wanting to ensure that they’re making good decisions.
“I think the next 12 months is going to be still a period of re-norming, and then consumers are going to start to care again about those things that really do speak to things that matter to them at the core.
“It’s our job during that period to start to get the narrative right and to engage with consumers in a way that helps them realise the consequence of their actions and what we’re doing to help them.”
