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Cheapflights is going, going, green

28th April 2010 Print

Cheapflights.co.uk has unveiled Travel(eco)nomics, a report on the state of Green Travel, and the steps travellers can take toward being ecologically responsible.

“In honour of Earth Day’s 40th, we wanted to highlight the consciousness around the environment within the travel industry,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights UK.

“At just two per cent, the aviation industry’s contribution to carbon emissions is significantly lower than is generally perceived, and the steps it’s taking to reduce that even further are numerous, so we’d like to take the opportunity to encourage travellers to participate in the growing eco-travel trend by offering a guide to how they can do so,” continues Hallak.

Among its in-depth range of tips and tricks for becoming green, Travel(eco)nomics also picks out the Top 5 of eco-loving airlines and the steps they’re taking to help the environment. The list includes:

• Qatar Airways: the first airline to run a commercial passenger flight powered by natural gas derived fuel

• Virgin Atlantic: first to operate a commercial flight partially powered by bio-fuel as well as publicly disclosing its CO2 emissions on its website

• British Airways: industry leader in the development of bio-fuels and set to produce 16 million gallons by 2014

• Continental Airlines: youngest fleet of airplanes in the industry with an average age of barely ten years

• Southwest Airlines: £110 million investment in Required Navigational Performance, the avionics technology that allows planes to reduce fuel usage by optimising flight paths

The report also highlights that contrary to widely held perceptions, green travel can be very affordable. In fact, simple decisions including packing tips and a choice of eco-friendly destinations will not only help to save the environment, but help to save money too.

Aside from the airlines helping to produce a new generation of fuel and fancy avionics technology, there are also plenty of simple things travellers can do which are equally as important including:

• Packing light to reduce weight
• Using public transportation where possible
• Remembering to switch off the lights
• Eating at local restaurants.

For the full report including in-depth tips, top eco-destinations, more on the airlines and a host of other insider information, view the full report at cheapflights.co.uk.