An Assessment of Singapore Airlines Environmentally Sustainable Energy Management

Abstract

This study has examined how Singapore Airlines, a major global airline, manages its energy in an environmentally sustainable manner. The research used an in-depth qualitative longitudinal research design. The study period was from 2010/2011 to 2020/2021. Singapore Airlines four key energy sources are aircraft jet fuel, electricity, diesel, and petrol. The airline’s passenger aircraft jet fuel consumption grew in line with its expansion of services and aircraft fleet. The airline’s freighter aircraft fleet consumption exhibited a general downward trend. The annual electricity consumption displayed a general downward trend and benefited from the energy saving measures introduced by the airline over the study period. Diesel consumption grew in line with ground service equipment (GSE) energy requirements. The airline’s annual petrol consumption fluctuated over the study period reflecting differing fuel requirements. Throughout the study period, Singapore Airlines implemented many energy efficiency measures. These measures include an aircraft weight reduction program, the installation of extensive light emitting diode (LED) lighting, the installation of more energy efficient plant and equipment, the installation of more energy efficient heat exchange system at its Silver Kris Lounge at Changi Airport, the upgrading of lifts with a more efficient model that had a Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) motor, the installation of a large scale photovoltaic (PV) system, a computer system that optimizes the maximum zero fuel weight (MZFW) of its aircraft fleet, the use of lightweight catering items, the use of light weight aircraft containers, the use of sustainable aviation fuel, and the use of fixed electrical ground power and preconditioned air units at airports where its aircraft have night layovers or long transits.