All About the JAL Group - CSR Report 2007

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Air Transport and Global Warming

Aircraft engines run on fossil fuels, which generate carbon dioxide. CO2 is the most prominent of the greenhouse gases, which are believed to be the cause of global warming. The amount of CO2 emitted is approximately proportionate to the amount of fuel consumed. The JAL Group is targeting fuel-consumption cuts of 20% of the transported capacity by 2010 compared with 1990 levels. In line with this, we are adopting various measures to reduce fuel consumption.

The following graph shows changes in estimated emissions per available ton-kilometer (ATK) for the commercial operation of JAL Group aircraft. Total CO2 emissions in fiscal 2006 were 15.8 million tons, down 6.5% from the previous fiscal year. This reduction of 1.09 million tons is the equivalent to the CO2 annually absorbed by 77.9 million Japanese cedars.

Fuel Consumption

It is possible to reduce fuel consumption, and by extension CO2 emissions, by lightening the overall weight of the aircraft. For example, by reducing the weight of each aircraft by 1 kg it is possible to cut CO2 emissions throughout the entire JAL Group by approximately 76 tons per year. That is the equivalent of the annual amount of CO2 absorbed by 5,400 Japanese cedars. The JAL Group is also engaged in the following measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Lighter Tableware
In 2004, the company introduced lightweight porcelain tableware, which is approximately 20% lighter, for the meal service in First and Business classes. Also, by streamlining our spoons and forks we have managed to reduce weight by 2 grams per unit. We intend to increase our use of lightweight porcelain.


	New lightweight containers

Cargo-Container Weight
JAL cargo containers have hitherto all been made of aluminum alloy, but in fiscal 2007 we started using Twintex — a new material made of glass and polypropylene fibers — in the side panels of the containers. As a result, we have achieved weight reductions of 26 kg per unit. We plan to steadily update our multipurpose containers on international routes with this material.

Onboard Drinking Water
The water tank in the cargo compartment used to be topped up before each flight. However, checks revealed that most flights arrive at their destination with a substantial amount of water still onboard. Consequently, we have adjusted the amount of water loaded on each aircraft to more appropriate levels. As a result, we have achieved weight savings of up to 400 kg on 747-400s and 300 kg on 777s.

Fuel Measures
To work towards greater fuel efficiency, the amount of fuel onboard has to be accurately measured. At one time, fuel was loaded onto JAL planes in units of 1,000 pounds (around 450 kg), but we decided to modify this to 100-pound units. As a result, more precise measures of the amount of fuel required for safe arrival at each destination have allowed us to achieve weight savings of up to 900 pounds (approximately 400 kg) per flight.

Aircraft Center of Gravity
Passenger seating and the positioning of loaded cargo affect the aircraft’s center of gravity. Failure to maintain passenger and cargo positions within appropriate ranges can lead to a loss of balance and cause problems with flight operations. As a result, specialized staff are employed at each airport to calculate the center of gravity for every flight and determine the optimum positioning of cargo in the compartment. Generally speaking, within the permissible range allowed, the further back in the aircraft the center of gravity, the lower the drag on the horizontal stabilizer and the greater the fuel efficiency. When deciding on cargo positioning, JAL Group airport staff go to great lengths to ensure that fuel efficiency is maximized for each flight.

New Engines on 787s
The JAL Group will introduce 787s to its fleet in fiscal 2008. These aircraft use next-generation GEnx engines (developed by General Electric), which employ composite materials to reduce weight. In addition to superior fuel efficiency and lower noise levels, GEnx engines also feature an environment-friendly design that allows for major reductions in CO2 and NOx emissions. By updating our medium-sized aircraft with 787s running GEnx engines, we expect to see CO2 emissions reduced by 2,500 tons per aircraft per annum.

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