The SkyTeam Alliance has launched its second Sustainable Flight Challenge (TSFC) to take place in May 2023. The challenge, which took place the first time last year, is a means to encourage the alliance's member airlines to come up with new ways and implement technologies to operate the most sustainable flights out of the participants. In 2023, it is being extended to "friends and family" carriers, in order to drive the acceleration towards sustainable flight across more of the industry.

CO2 reduced by 15% across last year's challenge

SkyTeam says that last year's Challenge sparked "hundreds" of new ideas to make air travel greener. Across the flights operated as part of the challenge (although lowering CO2 was not the foremost ambition of all of them, there were several categories in which to compete), carbon intensity was reduced by 15%. The hope is that participants will continue to build on the experiences gained during last year's edition of TSFC.

Patrick Roux, SkyTeam's new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, commented,

"The transformation needed to reduce aviation's environmental impact cannot happen by working in isolation. Our members are sharing a wealth of creative ideas and showing immense commitment in our bold ambition of making The Sustainable Flight Challenge force for change."

Roux continued,

"With sustainability as a key pillar of SkyTeam's strategy, we are excited to extend this year's challenge to other airlines and industry partners to spark more creativity and find more innovations. By sharing knowledge and workable solutions we can deliver a more sustainable experience for customers while helping decarbonize aviation to better protect the planet."

Categories to compete in

In 2022, 16 out of the 19 SkyTeam member airlines participated in the challenge. There are three main categories to the challenge. These are further divided into subcategories:

Impact Awards:

• Greatest CO2 reduction
• Lowest CO2 emissions (for flight, ground handling, and food & beverage)
• Best waste management

Innovation Awards:

• Best inflight sustainable innovation
• Best Cargo sustainable innovation
• Best Sustainable Innovation Economic Value
• The Boldest Move

Collaboration Awards

• Best partnerships
• Best customer engagement
• Best employee engagement

After the Challenge, all participating airlines share best practices and knowledge in a post-flight event. They can also participate in workshops on the topics covered by the challenge, such as waste management, optimum flight routes, sustainable ground handling, and cargo.

The healthiest of competitions

In 2022, participating airlines showcased their best innovations at a two-day seminar to share practices that can be implemented across the alliance and beyond. And while the real winner is the planet, as customer surveys show that more and more travelers are considering sustainability as a factor when booking their tickets, there may be a competitive advantage to be had from initiatives such as this.