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Right On Time: Improving Airline On-Time Performance Can Help Reduce Emissions
Cirium’s groundbreaking EmeraldSky emissions methodology has revealed a significant link between airline on-time performance (OTP) and reduced flight emissions.
Senior Director – Market Development
Cirium
For aviation enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like the excitement of a well-orchestrated flight schedule. But what if being on time in air travel could also make a real difference in the fight against climate change? For the first time, Cirium’s groundbreaking EmeraldSky emissions methodology has revealed a significant link between airline on-time performance (OTP) and reduced flight emissions. This innovative analysis is a game-changer in showing how schedule reliability can directly contribute to more sustainable skies.
EmeraldSky isn’t your run-of-the-mill emissions calculator. It’s a sophisticated tool that takes into account a wide array of variables when estimating CO2 emissions for each flight. From the type of aircraft and engine series to winglet design, passenger and cargo payloads, and even the age of the airframe—it’s all factored in. Crucially, EmeraldSky also includes real-time data like gate and runway times, allowing for an accurate record of how long planes spend taxiing and flying. This level of precision sets it apart from traditional, distance-based emissions tools.
Why does this matter? Because time spent in the air or on the ground directly impacts fuel burn—and therefore CO2 emissions.
Efficiency at every stage of the flight isn’t just about convenience for passengers; it’s also about reducing aviation’s environmental footprint.
By tracking the relationship between OTP and emissions trends, Cirium’s analysis reveals that efficiency at every stage of the flight isn’t just about convenience for passengers; it’s also about reducing aviation’s environmental footprint.
Cirium analyzed airport pairs that operate high volumes of short-haul mainline flights (less than 1,500km), comparing data from July 2019 to July 2024. Cirium identified eight routes where improved OTP coincided with significant reductions in average flight times and emissions. On the other side, nine routes showed longer sector times, increased emissions intensity, and declining OTP.
The correlation was clear: better on-time performance generally resulted in lower carbon intensity. In simpler terms, when flights run on time, emissions go down.
The findings highlight the importance of addressing inefficiencies in air traffic management (ATM). For instance, the slow progress in integrating nationally controlled airspace over mainland Europe is a well-known bottleneck. These inefficiencies not only drive-up fuel burn and emissions, but also limit airlines’ ability to improve OTP. Solving such challenges could unlock benefits for both the environment and operational performance.
For aviation stakeholders and industry leaders alike, this provides compelling evidence of how operational excellence can align with sustainability goals. Improving OTP isn’t just about keeping passengers happy—it’s about making air travel smarter, greener, and better for the future of our planet. Cirium’s EmeraldSky methodology has paved the way for a deeper understanding of this critical relationship, proving that every minute matters in the journey toward more sustainable skies.
Improving OTP Results in Lower CO2 Intensity
(KG OF CO2 PER ASK) JULY 2024 VS JULY 2019 (SELECT ROUTES)
Learn more about how Cirium’s EmeraldSky can enable you to make aviation greener and cleaner, please see EmeraldSky Aircraft & Flight Emissions and schedule a meeting with our experts.
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