Etihad Airways named 'Environmental Airline' of the Year 2023

Etihad was honored for its commitment to sustainable aviation through innovation and collaboration, as well as its commitment to drive change and results from Abu Dhabi or the world, in the awards, which recognize the best in the aviation industry and rank airlines on their innovation, route networks, and safety score against a strict assessment criteria.

In addition to winning the Environmental Airline of the Year award, Etihad placed third in the “Top 10 Airlines” category of the Airline Ratings survey, which rates airlines on their comfort, innovation, value, and safety in Economy, Business, and First Class.

With relation to sustainability in the aviation industry, Etihad’s sustainability strategy is concentrated on reducing emissions through sector-specific actions, adhering to industry roadmaps and frameworks, working with UAE industrial ecosystems, and remaining open and proactive.

In its most recent sustainability report released in May 2023, Etihad announced it had achieved a 26% reduction in CO2 emissions per Revenue Tonne Kilometre (RTK). This achievement is underpinned by Etihad’s flagship sustainability initiatives, including the Greenliner programme which uses the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners as flying test-beds, as well as the Sustainable50 A350-1000.

Antonoaldo Neves, Group chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We take great pride in reducing our CO2 RTK by 26 percent. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and efforts of our team to drive our sustainability agenda and we thank them for their contributions. I am also very proud of our overall achievements, which go beyond delivering direct Co2 reductions but explore innovative solutions to the broader challenges facing aviation sustainability, as you can see in our annual report.”

Airlineratings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, said: “Etihad Airways has demonstrated its leadership in the push for sustainable flight with its Greenliner Boeing 787 program and last year with its Sustainability50, A350 aircraft. In every aspect, Etihad Airways staff and management are committed to reducing the airline’s CO2 footprint and it shows. The rallying phrase is a million things count in reducing emissions and thus the focus is all-consuming. The airline’s Sustainability Report 2021-2022 demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives.”

Etihad’s 2023 sustainability achievements: