Sylvie Willis
The fuel consumption of airlines is a topic of interest, especially with the industry's impact on the environment under scrutiny. In 2019, global fuel consumption by commercial airlines reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons. The pandemic saw a decrease to 52 billion gallons in 2020, but consumption rose again in 2021. Fuel burn varies depending on the type of aircraft, with the Airbus A380 burning 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour. The fuel burn can also vary depending on the stage of the flight, with shorter flights using a higher proportion of fuel for non-cruising activities. The efficiency of aircraft has improved over the years, with modern jets twice as efficient as early jet airliners, and newer aircraft 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre.
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What You'll Learn
Fuel burn per kilometre
The fuel burn per kilometre can be broken down into six stages: taxi out, take-off, climb, cruise, approach, and taxi in. The shorter the flight, the more fuel is burned during the taxi out and taxi in stages, which can account for 2-17% of total fuel consumption. To reduce fuel consumption during these stages, some airlines and airports use tugs to move aircraft instead of burning kerosene.
The fuel efficiency of an aircraft is measured by the number of litres of fuel burned per 100 kilometres per passenger. In 2017, the average airline fuel consumption per passenger in Europe was 3.4 litres per 100 kilometres, a 24% improvement from 2005. In the US, the average fuel consumption for domestic flights in 2018 was 4.06 litres per 100 kilometres per revenue passenger.
Aircraft fuel consumption typically ranges from 3 to 4 litres per 100 kilometres per passenger. However, newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries are 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous generations. The Airbus A380, for example, consumes less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres per passenger.
Other factors that impact fuel efficiency include aerodynamics, weight, engine brake-specific fuel consumption, propulsive efficiency, and seating density. Flying at optimum altitudes and airspeeds can also improve fuel efficiency and endurance.
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Fuel efficiency improvements
The airline industry has significantly improved its fuel efficiency over the past 15 years. According to a McKinsey analysis, carriers reduced their fuel consumption per passenger-kilometer by approximately 39% between 2005 and 2019 (pre-COVID-19), a compound annual growth rate of about 3.4%. However, future gains will be harder to achieve as the industry has already implemented many of the most effective improvement measures.
One of the most effective ways to improve fuel efficiency has been through fleet upgrades. A latest-generation aircraft is about 15 to 20% more fuel-efficient than the previous generation, with improvements in engines, lighter materials, and aerodynamics. For example, the Boeing 787 achieves greater fuel efficiency through more fuel-efficient engines, lighter composite material airframes, and more aerodynamic shapes. Lufthansa's Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777X-9 are expected to consume an average of 2.9 L/100 km per passenger.
Another lever for improving fuel efficiency has been the industry's load factor, or the share of seats sold on a given flight. This has increased from 75% to 83%, allowing airlines to fill their aircraft with more passengers and freight. However, there is limited room for further improvement in this area, as economy class cabins cannot shrink much more, and airlines may want to retain business and first-class cabins.
Fuel-efficiency programs have also contributed to reducing fuel consumption. These include initiatives such as reduced engine taxi, continuous descent approaches, and optimized routes. Additionally, improvements in technology, such as upgraded navigation and air and ground traffic management, have played a role in reducing fuel burn.
To further enhance fuel efficiency, airlines may need to pursue more transformational changes. This could include accelerated fleet replacement, the development of more fuel-efficient engines, and the use of lighter materials and improved aerodynamics. By implementing these measures, airlines can continue to reduce their fuel consumption and improve their environmental performance.
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Fuel costs
The fuel efficiency of aircraft has improved over time. Jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007, with a 40% improvement in engine efficiency and a 30% improvement from airframes. Modern jet aircraft are twice as fuel-efficient as the earliest jet airliners. For example, the Airbus A380, the world's largest jet airliner, can carry over 800 passengers and burns an average of 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour, offering a 20% increase in per-passenger fuel efficiency over the older 747.
The fuel burn per kilometre does not reflect the relative aircraft size and capacity. The fuel burn data shows that between 2% and 17% of fuel burn is used for taxiing out or taxiing in, with shorter flights using a higher proportion of fuel for these activities. Aircraft weight also impacts fuel efficiency, with very long non-stop flights requiring extra fuel, which means limiting the number of available seats.
The price of fuel can also impact the operations of airlines. For example, rising fuel prices in the late 2000s and early 2010s, coupled with the 2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession, led to the cancellation of many ultra-long-haul non-stop flights. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fuel consumption by commercial airlines decreased significantly, dropping from 95 billion gallons in 2019 to 52 billion gallons in 2020.
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Fuel consumption by flight stage
The fuel consumption of an aircraft is influenced by several factors, including the aircraft's weight, aerodynamics, engine efficiency, and flight path. Additionally, the number of passengers, cargo load, and flight distance also play a role in overall fuel efficiency. The various stages of a flight, from taxiing to cruising, contribute differently to fuel consumption. Here is a breakdown of fuel consumption by flight stage:
Taxi Out and Taxi In
The taxi out and taxi in stages of a flight refer to the movement of the aircraft on the ground, typically between the gate and the runway. These stages can contribute significantly to fuel consumption, especially for shorter flights. On average, between 2% and 17% of an aircraft's total fuel burn is attributed to taxiing. To reduce fuel consumption during these stages, many airlines and airports use tugs to move aircraft instead of using their engines. Electric motors are also being fitted to aircraft, allowing them to use ground-based power sources during taxiing.
Takeoff and Climb
Takeoff and climb are the stages of flight that require the most engine power to overcome gravity and achieve cruising altitude. While these stages have the highest fuel burn rate per minute, their shorter duration compared to the cruise stage keeps their overall fuel consumption lower. To optimize fuel efficiency during takeoff, techniques such as a rolling takeoff, reduced flap takeoff, and reduced-thrust takeoff can be employed. These methods reduce the time spent on the ground, minimize drag, and preserve engine life, respectively.
Cruise
The cruise stage of a flight is when the aircraft is flying at a constant speed and altitude, typically making up the majority of the flight time. This stage is the most fuel-intensive, especially on long-haul flights, accounting for 95-96% of total fuel consumption. Cruising at higher altitudes improves fuel efficiency due to thinner air, reducing drag and allowing engines to operate more efficiently. Additionally, maintaining a constant speed during the cruise stage optimizes fuel burn over distance travelled.
Approach and Landing
The approach and landing stages involve descending towards the destination airport and coming to a stop on the runway. While these stages may not contribute as significantly to fuel consumption as the cruise stage, they still play a role, especially on short-haul flights. Optimizing the approach profile and employing techniques such as reduced flap landing can help reduce fuel burn, noise, and emissions during these final stages of the flight.
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Fuel consumption by airline
Aircraft Type and Size
The type and size of the aircraft significantly impact fuel consumption. For instance, the Airbus A380, the world's largest jet airliner, has a higher fuel burn per hour than its predecessor, the 747. However, when considering fuel efficiency per passenger, the A380 outperforms the 747 with a 20% increase. Additionally, turboprop aircraft, like the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, are more fuel-efficient than jet airliners due to their propellers, making them suitable for regional operations.
Distance Travelled
Longer flights consume more fuel, and the weight of the fuel itself becomes a factor in extended non-stop flights. For instance, Singapore Airlines' New York to Singapore route, covering 10,300 miles, could only carry 100 passengers due to the weight penalty of the extra fuel required. As a result, the number of seats had to be limited, impacting the fiscal viability of such flights.
Passenger Load
The number of passengers on a flight influences fuel efficiency calculations. A full flight with 500 passengers travelling 1 mile using 5 gallons of fuel equates to 0.01 gallons per person per mile, resulting in 100 miles per gallon per person. However, with fewer passengers, the fuel consumption per person increases.
Global Fuel Consumption Trends
Commercial airlines' global fuel consumption has fluctuated over the years. It reached an all-time high of 95 billion gallons in 2019 before dropping to 52 billion gallons in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021, fuel consumption increased again, projected to reach 92-99 billion gallons by 2024.
In summary, airlines' fuel consumption is a multifaceted issue influenced by aircraft characteristics, flight distance, passenger numbers, and broader economic and environmental factors. As technology advances, aircraft become more fuel-efficient, but the ongoing challenge is to balance operational viability with environmental sustainability in the aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel used by airlines per day varies based on several factors, including the type of aircraft, flight length, number of passengers, and the model of the aircraft. On average, a 747 aircraft burns 5 gallons of fuel per mile, while the Airbus A380 burns an average of 4,600 gallons of fuel per hour.
The type of aircraft, flight length, and number of passengers are key factors that impact fuel consumption. Additionally, the model of the aircraft, including its weight and capacity, also plays a role in determining fuel efficiency.
Longer flights generally burn more fuel than shorter ones, as cruising accounts for the majority of carbon emissions. However, for shorter flights, the non-cruising stages of the flight, such as taxiing, take-off, climb, and approach, contribute significantly to fuel consumption.
No, different types of aircraft have varying fuel burn rates. For example, the Airbus A380 has a higher fuel consumption per hour than the Boeing 777 due to its higher weight and passenger capacity.
Aircraft fuel efficiency has improved significantly over the years. Jet airliners became 70% more fuel-efficient between 1967 and 2007, with a 40% improvement in engine efficiency and a 30% improvement in airframes. Newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350, are 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous generations.
