Flybe has launched an eco-labelling scheme that will allow passengers to assess the environmental impact of a flight and decide whether to offset the carbon dioxide emissions.
The label will rate the emissions of a flight per seat on a scale of A-F, with A being the lowest. It will factor in the ground-level pollution created on landing and take-off and rate the level of noise on a similar scale, as well as stating the minimum leg room.
The emissions assessment will be based on the approximate journey length, rounded to the nearest 500km.
Flybe plans to phase out all its older, more-polluting aircraft by 2009 – including the ageing fleet it inherited from the recent takeover of British Airways’ subsidiary BA Connect.
It has invested more than £2 billion in new aircraft, including the 78-seat Bombardier Q400 that is rated among the world’s least-environmentally damaging aircraft.
The regional carrier said the turboprop Q400 would have an A-rating for landing and take-off and a B for CO2 emissions. Flybe’s other main aircraft, the 118-seat Embraer 195 jet, rates a B on both counts.
The rating system was developed with consultancy firm Deloitte. However, it will not allow direct comparisons with rival airlines since the scheme is unique to Flybe.
Passengers will be able to carbon-offset their emissions at the time of booking through offset-charity Pure: the Clean Planet Trust.
Flybe chief executive Jim French said: “Our initiative is designed to help consumers identify which type of aircraft or which route is the most sensitive choice.”