Southwest Airlines Sustainability Plan Updated to Reach Net Zero by 2050

Southwest Airlines is one of the top carriers in USA. It is also one of the busiest airlines in the country and had a passenger traffic of 126.6 million last year. Southwest Airlines is not just working on enhancing the customer experience but it is also contributing towards making irs operations sustainable. The airlines’ ‘Nonstop to Net Zero,’ sustainability plan, is a significant step towards this initiative. The strategic plan represents a major commitment to a more sustainable future for aviation by outlining the airline’s path to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Continue reading to know about the Southwest Airlines sustainability plan. 

With new goals, Southwest Airlines is mapping out a sustainable future. Here are the updated goals as per Southwest Airlines sustainability plan: 

1. Electrification of Ground Support Equipment (GSE)

Building on its present accomplishment of electrifying 33 percent of qualifying ground support equipment, Southwest aims to electrify 50 percent of this equipment system-wide by 2030. Through cooperative efforts with airports, electric infrastructure will be evaluated, opening the door to additional growth and a smaller carbon footprint.

Also Read: Southwest Airlines Bag Tracker Tool to Further Enhance Passenger Experience

2. Jet Fuel Efficiency

Southwest is dedicated to fuel economy programs, with an aim to save an additional 50 million jet fuel gallons by 2025 and an eventual target of 1.1 billion gallons by 2035. It is projected that novel improvements to Southwest Airlines flight planning software will reduce CO2 emissions by at least 145,000 metric tons per year.

3. Single-Use Plastics Reduction

Southwest has committed to reducing the weight of single-use plastics in flights by half by 2025 and hopes to completely remove them from flights wherever possible by 2030. This program is in line with the larger industry trend of managing garbage responsibly to lessen its negative effects on the environment.

Recycling and Collaboration

Apart from an updated Southwest Airlines sustainability plan, the airline is also focusing more on recycling. It is working with suppliers to improve environmental stewardship, increasing recycling activities, and focusing on important areas. The airline has demonstrated its dedication to evaluating the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of its supply chain. It has also guaranteed adherence to strict sustainability regulations by implementing EcoVadis, a sustainability ratings and intelligence platform.

How does the nonstop to net zero initiative align with existing sustainability goals?

The ‘Nonstop to Net Zero’ initiative from Southwest effortlessly fits in with their current sustainability plan. The objectives are to attain carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce carbon emissions intensity by 50% by 2035, and include sustainable aviation fuel to account for 10% of jet fuel usage overall by 2030. 

One of the most recent achievements is a 20-year contract with USA BioEnergy, LLC to buy up to 680 million gallons of SAF. Partnering with NASA, Boeing, General Electric (GE) Research, and other US airlines demonstrates Southwest’s dedication to industry-wide sustainability programs. 

In addition to simply aiming for a greener future, Southwest Airlines is setting an example for the aviation sector as a whole, encouraging it to reach new heights of environmental responsibility and sustainability. If you are flying with Southwest, get the best airfare using Indian Eagle last minute deals. So you can not just travel sustainably but also on a budget.