Environmental Initiatives

In March 2022, the FDA conducted a flight using Euglena's biofuel "Susteo" (the brand name of the biofuel manufactured and sold by Euglena).
Susteo is the name of a biofuel manufactured and sold by Euglena Co., Ltd. It is made from used cooking oil and algae such as Euglena.

Biofuels emit CO2 during the combustion stage, but since both the plants and Euglena, the raw materials for the used edible oil used as raw materials, absorb CO2 through photosynthesis during their growth, they are expected to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality, where CO2 emissions from the use of the fuel are essentially zero. Furthermore, Susteo's SAF is the first in the world to be certified to the ASTM D7566 Annex 6 standard.

FDA, in cooperation with Suzuyo Shoji, a member of the Suzuyo Group that is responsible for procuring and supplying aviation fuel, and in cooperation with Euglena Co., conducted a charter flight between Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport and Prefectural Nagoya Airport (Komaki) on March 16, 2022. FDA will continue to consider the full-scale introduction of biojet fuel in the future and will continue to work toward a decarbonized society.

The actual operating environment (weather conditions, air traffic congestion, etc.) is constantly changing, making it difficult to uniquely determine the optimal conditions for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Therefore, we use a flight simulator to consider measures.

[Calculating the flight speed that provides the best fuel efficiency when flying into a headwind]
Generally, the lower the air density, the lower the fuel consumption when flying at a higher altitude and at a slower speed, but flying at a slower speed increases the flight time, which not only increases fuel consumption but also reduces punctuality. In addition, the westerly winds known as the jet stream constantly blow above Japan, and the higher the altitude, the stronger they become, with wind speeds reaching 100 m/s in winter.
In that case, flying slower may not necessarily be the most fuel-efficient option for the entire flight.

For example, if you are currently flying at a cruising altitude of 9500m (31000ft) at a speed of 420kt (M0.72), your fuel economy will be 0.13km/L (0.12NM/lb). If you accelerate from this state to a speed of 460kt (M0.78), your fuel economy will decrease to 0.12km/L (0.11NM/lb). Based on this condition, if we consider the effect when there is a 100kt headwind, fuel consumption will be 0.92 times (0.12/0.13), which is a loss of 8%. However, on the other hand, the ground speed will increase from 320kt (420-100) to 360kt (460-100), which is 1.12 times (360/320), resulting in a 12% gain. Fuel consumption on the ground will improve by 1.03 times (0.92 x 1.12), which can be said to have had an acceleration effect.

The optimum fuel-efficient speed varies depending on the strength of the headwind, flight altitude, and flight weight, so we collect data using a flight simulator.

[Comparison of fuel consumption during slow, rapid climb and fast, gentle climb]
Aircraft fly by using the surplus thrust generated by the engines minus the resistance of the aircraft to climb or accelerate. In other words, if you fly at high speeds, the rate of climb will worsen to the extent that excess thrust is used for acceleration, and it will take longer to reach cruising altitude. The higher the altitude, the stronger the westerly winds become, so the fuel consumption for the entire flight will depend on the strength of the headwind at cruising altitude. There are two options: a gradual climb at high speed to shorten the flight time at cruising altitude where the westerly winds are strong (climbing: high fuel consumption, cruising: short flight time), or a rapid climb at low speed to lengthen the flight time at cruising altitude (climbing: low fuel consumption, cruising: long flight time). These are verified using a flight simulator and are utilized in daily operations.

To reduce the impact of aircraft noise on the surrounding area, each airport has a takeoff procedure that reduces noise. Different takeoff procedures are set for each airport depending on the situation around the airport, but if multiple procedures are set, the takeoff procedure that consumes less fuel is used. For example, if NADP1 (Noise Abatement Departure Procedure 1) and NADP2 are possible, using NADP2 can reduce fuel consumption by 8L (15lb) from takeoff to an altitude of 3000m (10000ft).

Some airports have established a high-standard approach procedure that utilizes GPS, known as the RNP AR approach. The FDA has received special permission for the aircraft and pilots required to perform this approach. The RNP AR approach is characterized by the fact that a circular route is set up until just before landing, and that route can be safely flown using the navigation system. Even at airports surrounded by mountains, such as Shinshu Matsumoto Airport, it is possible to safely fly the shortest route along the mountain slopes. By implementing the RNP AR approach at Shinshu Matsumoto Airport, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by 120L (200lb) compared to other approach procedures.

The flight operations department regularly publishes an information medium called "SMART FUEL" to visualize fuel reduction results and promote activities.

In the explanation of the improvements to flight operations, there is an item on reducing the use of APUs (auxiliary power units) as a measure to be taken while aircraft are parked and taxiing. FDA is also working on using power generating units (GPUs) instead of APUs as a power source while parked, but these GPUs also use gasoline or diesel as fuel, making them a major source of carbon dioxide emissions at the airport. FDA will be introducing this eGPU for the first time in February 2024, deploying it at Nagoya (Komaki) Airport, and working to further reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The eGPU introduced is the first domestically produced eGPU for aircraft, developed by AGP Corporation.
Carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be reduced to about one-tenth of those of an APU and about one-third of those of a diesel-powered GPU.

We are currently working with Suzuyo Shoji Co., Ltd. on a plan to secure green electricity by installing solar panels on the roof of our hangar at Nagoya (Komaki) Airport and generating solar power. Once this is completed, we will further promote decarbonization at Nagoya (Komaki) Airport.

Following the revision of the Aviation Act in 2022, FDA's airports have also begun efforts to formulate decarbonization promotion plans, and decarbonization promotion councils are being established one after another. FDA has established a system in which, upon request from the airport, the branch manager is asked to participate in the council, and the head office provides logistical support.

Most of the items abandoned at security checkpoints are blades such as scissors and knives, which have been disposed of as industrial waste until now. However, after learning that the Gifu Prefecture Seki Cutlery Industry Association is conducting a blade recycling initiative, we have been sending the blades abandoned at Nagoya (Komaki) Airport to the Seki City Cutlery Hall, which is run by the association.

Engine performance is monitored daily and the engine is washed with water as needed. This washing is expected to improve the engine's fuel efficiency, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and therefore carbon dioxide emissions.

機内でお客さまに提供する機⽤品のプラスチック製品の使⽤削減を目的として、様々な活動を展開しています。そのひとつとして2022年4月から、機内サービスで提供しているマドラーとストローを脱プラスチック商品である「木製マドラー」と「バイオマスストロー」へ切り替えています

FDAでは、環境保全の観点から使い捨てプラスチック製品削減のため、2022年3月から、お客さまからお預かりする手荷物を梱包するビニール袋の提供を原則として取りやめております。ベビーカーや車いす用ビニール袋については、引き続き提供しています。お客さまのご理解とご協力をお願いします

We are reducing paper usage by digitizing manuals and other documents used in our work from paper media. The photo shows the manuals used by flight crew members, which are now all digitized and can be viewed by flight crew members on the tablet devices they are provided with, which also helps to improve work efficiency.

FDA contributed to carbon offsetting*4 through the purchase of "J Blue Credits*3" issued by the Japan Blue Economy Technology Research Association (JBE) *2 for the climate change mitigation project "Blue Carbon *1 Project Utilizing Rishirifuji Town's Resilient Silicon Blue - An Initiative to Preserve Japan's Dashi Culture," promoted by Rishirifuji Town in Hokkaido, where Rishiri Airport, the destination of the charter flight, is located, and the Rishiri Fisheries Cooperative Association.

[Business overview]
Rishirifuji Town's main product, Rishiri kelp, saw a major drop in production in 2017. The town felt a strong sense of crisis that the progression of global warming could lead to the extinction of kelp, and focused on the possibility that Rishiri kelp could contribute to maintaining and expanding the CO2 absorption source through the blue carbon ecosystem. As a climate change mitigation project, the town launched the "Blue Carbon Project Utilizing Rishirifuji Town's Rishiri kelp - An initiative to preserve Japan's dashi culture."
Stable production of Rishiri kelp contributes to maintaining and expanding the CO2 sink, and implementing climate change mitigation measures will help preserve Rishiri kelp seeds, which in turn will help "protect Japan's dashi culture" by increasing kelp consumption.

[Terminology]
*1 Blue Carbon
Carbon dioxide (CO2) derived from marine ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and salt marshes is sequestered and stored. Japan has the sixth longest coastline in the world, making it highly likely to become an important CO2 sink toward achieving carbon neutrality. In recent years, this has been attracting attention from the national and local governments, private companies, and others.

*2 Japan Blue Economy Technology Research Association (JBE)
A technology research association approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) established in July 2020 to promote climate change countermeasures in coastal areas, conduct experimental research on quantitative assessment of blue carbon generated by marine plants, develop technologies, and introduce financial mechanisms.

*3 J Blue Credit
JBE issues and manages its own proprietary credits after being reviewed and certified by an independent third-party committee. JBE is conducting research and development into the design of a system for reviewing, certifying, and issuing "J Blue Credits" as a new credit, in order to accelerate efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change in coastal and marine areas, as well as the role of blue carbon ecosystems as CO2 sinks.

*4 carbon offset
After making efforts to reduce one's own CO2 emissions in order to achieve net zero, emissions that cannot be reduced to zero can be adjusted by purchasing CO2 reductions and absorptions from others (i.e., carbon offsetting).