Ninety-eight percent of United Airlines’ carbon emissions are from our use of jet fuel. Thanks to our ongoing conservation efforts, in 2007 we realized a 34 percent improvement in fuel use per passenger mile traveled compared to fuel use per passenger mile traveled in 1990.
Between 2004 and 2008, our Aircraft Fuel Conservation Program has resulted in the avoidance of more than 1.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Since aircraft fuel combustion is the largest source of CO2 emissions for our operations, and fuel costs are our largest operating expense, we are establishing key conservation goals and will actively track our progress.
We have worked to further conserve fuel and lower emissions through:
Jet fuel efficiencies
Since 1990, we have achieved significant fuel efficiencies through proactive operational enhancements, retiring less-fuel-efficient aircraft and training flight crews on conservation methods. Between 2004 and October 2008, we saved 1.03 billion pounds of fuel and over 3 billion pounds of CO2 emissions.
Alternative fuel solutions
In continuing with our fuel conservation efforts, we have made significant investments in Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) such as electric Ground Support Equipment to improve fuel and energy-efficiency company-wide.
