Award-winning aviation advisory and analytics company IBA has published its latest rankings. In the rankings, the company reveals the international airlines that have done more than just speaking about sustainability initiatives, and have actually reduced their emissions by up to 17% in the last two years. The ranking also sheds some light on an overall drop of almost 6% in carbon emissions from commercial aviation since January 2018, based on carbon dioxide per seat kilometer.

All statistics were derived using IBA's Carbon Emissions Calculator, also known as IBA NetZero, the most advanced finance-focused carbon modeling tool. Powered by IBA's proprietary fuel-burn intelligence, the tool is integrated with the real-time Flights and Fleets module to paint carbon emissions through a combination of time, airlines, aircraft MSN and model, lessor, airport, route pair, and several other factors.

Most improved long-haul operator

SAS

IBA looked at 10 airlines for each ranking category, and the podium positions amongst the long-haul operators went to Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). The airline reduced its carbon dioxide output per seat kilometer by a massive 18% since 2019, notably the most significant improvement amongst all the operators involved in the ranking.

The crucial improvement is primarily credited to SAS going through a fleet renewal for more fuel-efficient, new-generation aircraft. One significant change involved replacing its older Airbus A340-300s with the sleeker Airbus A350-900, of which the airline now has six in its fleet. SAS has also replaced the older Boeing 737NG family with Airbus A320neos, reaching at least 80% of newer generation aircraft in its short-haul aircraft fleet.

A350-900 Scandinavian Airlines MSN358 delivery - ferry flight
The improvement from SAS can also be accredited to the airline's substantial use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels from renewable sources such as animal oils, algae, camelina, fats, and even industrial waste. Photo: Airbus

Iberia

The Spanish flag carrier ranked a close second with a notable improvement of a 17% reduction in carbon emissions. Just like SAS, Iberia underwent a fleet renewal to replace its older Airbus A330s with the Airbus A350-900s, with the latter aircraft achieving between 30% to 35% increases in fuel efficiency. Currently, the airline boasts a beautiful dozen of the aircraft in its fleet, with an order for two more.

From next year onward, Iberia will use the Airbus A321XLR for some of its long-haul routes, an aircraft type that is expected to achieve up to 30% fewer carbon emissions. Additionally, the Airbus A321XLR will enable Iberia to serve new transatlantic destinations and increase the number of frequencies in critical destinations. The Spanish carrier will be one of the launch customers for the long-range narrowbody aircraft, alongside Aer Lingus.

Iberia will receive eight Airbus A321XLRs starting in 2023. Photo: Airbus

Most improved medium-haul operator

Beijing Capital

Based in Beijing's Daxing International Airport, the Chinese low-cost carrier has managed to drive a 16% reduction in carbon emissions. The improvement was credited to the gradual exit of its less fuel-efficient Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which further enabled Beijing Capital to utilize its narrowbody fleet more strategically. This was further supported by the increased use of the Airbus A320neos to replace the older A320ceo-type aircraft.

Further powering the sustainability of its narrowbody fleet is the Airbus A321 family aircraft in its fleet, whereby Beijing Capital has 17 Airbus A321-200s and three Airbus A321neos. However, two Airbus A321neos have been parked for at least a year. Even so, the Chinese carrier has one more on order, though it remains uncertain when it will be delivered.

Capital Airlines Landing
Beijing Capital's Airbus A321neos seat 220 economy class passengers. Photo: Airbus

Singapore Airlines

Right behind the low-cost carrier is Singapore Airlines, which has shown tremendous improvement of up to 14% compared to its emissions in 2019. As with every airline mentioned, the flag carrier's changes were primarily driven by a focus on new-generation aircraft, of which it operates not only one of the world's youngest but also one of the world's most modern.

Boasting 60 of the aircraft in its fleet, Singapore Airlines is the current largest Airbus A350 operator, which it utilizes for its long- and medium-haul flight operations, alongside the likes of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX. The airline also started using a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel derived from used cooking oil and waste of animal fats earlier this year.

SIA Aircraft
Photo: Getty Images

Most improved short-haul operator

Air Canada

Reducing emissions for short-haul is somewhat more challenging compared to medium- and long-haul flight operations, especially considering that short-haul flights account for more than 17% of total airline emissions. Nonetheless, challenging is not impossible as Air Canada has taken the lead with a 17% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019.

The drastic reduction in the number of active Airbus A319 aircraft has been the main push behind the significant improvement. As of last month, the Canadian flag carrier only has four operational Airbus A319 aircraft, a 75% reduction in the active fleet compared to June 2019. Air Canada has instead used the newer Airbus A220-300s and Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Air Canada 737 MAX 8.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

Volotea

Another Spanish carrier makes seconds the rankings as Volotea makes a credible improvement of approximately 14% reduction in its carbon emissions. The low-cost carrier became an all-Airbus operator last year for more fuel-efficient operations, having renewed its fleet by replacing the Boeing 717s to obtain more Airbus A319s and A320s.

It would seem the switch paid off, as Volotea also became named the most improved short-haul airline in Europe by IBA due to its significant change in carbon emission reductions. Following close behind was Russian carrier S7, which also happened to rank third and still behind Volotea in the international short-haul ranking.

Volotea Airbus A320 landing
Volotea has launched over 50 initiatives to reduce fuel consumption in the past five years, including transitioning to a 100% Airbus A319-320 fleet. Photo: Getty Images

Bottom line

While only the top two ranked airlines were mentioned per category, some honorable mentions include Icelandair, Asiana Airlines, IndiGo, and Cebu Pacific. The long-haul category undoubtedly had the most noteworthy reduction changes, given how it is easier to reduce emissions for longer flight times. In contrast, the short-haul category did present with less serious improvements. Nevertheless, the enhancements all speak the same message of how the aviation industry is capable of becoming greener as it advances.