Study Shows that Budget Airlines Produce Less Carbon Emissions

New studies now suggest that airlines like Ryanair have emerged as very unlikely models for sustainable travel. This is due to the fact that low budget carriers apparently produce up to 35 percent less carbon emissions per passenger than their full service counterparts. This is due to higher load factors and seat density, as well as newer fleets.

Studies now claim that a couple that is flying from London to Venice and returning a week later have a carbon footprint of about 410kg with Ryanair. This carbon footprint is being compared to the 977kg of the same journey with Alitalia. A flight from London to Zurich with easyJet has a carbon footprint of 277kg per couple compared to 688kg with Aer Lignus.

The low cost concept overall leads to higher load factors. In 2009, the average for an easyJet flight was 86 percent, and 82 percent for Ryanair. However, for full service airlines in the same year, their average load factor was only 73 percent.

A spokesman for easyJet said that their policy is to expand their fleet through the acquisition of the latest technology aircrafts, as they are more fuel efficient than older models. The average age of an aircraft in their fleet is only 3.5 years.

Of course, this news comes as full service airlines continue down the road towards low cost models. British Airways has cut its baggage allowance and abolished free meals on short haul flights. Places like BMI have announced plans to remove the business class from domestic flights. Thus, it appears that more and more airlines are starting to make the switch to low budget models.