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  • Middle East Reshapes Aviation’s Future With Innovation

    Alex Brooker, VP of Research, Development and Discovery, Cirium

    In the heart of the Middle East, a quiet revolution is taking place. The region’s aviation industry, long a symbol of ambition and growth, is undergoing a remarkable transformation that promises to reshape the future of air travel.

    With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and passenger experience, the Middle East is poised to set new standards for the global aviation community. As global stakeholders gather for the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week, let’s explore the initiatives and specific regional opportunities.

    At the forefront of this transformation is the United Arab Emirates, home to some of the world’s most renowned airlines and airports. Dubai-based Emirates Airline, a $29 billion entity, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.

    With a fleet of over 250 aircraft and a network spanning more than 140 global destinations, Emirates has leveraged the latest technologies to deliver an exceptional passenger experience. From in-flight entertainment systems to biometric security measures, the airline’s commitment to innovation has set a high bar for the industry.

    But Emirates is not alone in its pursuit of excellence. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and low-cost carriers like flydubai and Air Arabia have also made significant strides in enhancing their services and expanding their reach. For pure operational performance, Oman Air won Cirium’s regional OTP award for 2023 and was placed 3rd globally. In March 2024, King Khalid International Airport (RUH) was the second most on time airport globally with an on time departure of 87.32%. These airlines and airports have recognized the importance of adapting to changing customer needs and embracing sustainable practices to ensure long-term success. To that end, minimising cancelled flights and delays is something everyone can agree is a positive step – in what has been a challenging month for aviation in the region overall.

    Cirium’s Middle East and Africa OTP Regional Update – Published April 2024

    Middle East & Africa witnessed a 12% surge in the number of flights canceled in March. The region had 1,950 flights canceled compared to 1,739 last month. Safair (FA) was still the undisputed leader in both the Middle East & Africa region and the low-cost carrier category in March.

    The airline concluded the month with an outstanding OTP of 96.67%, up nearly three points from 93.96% in February.

    This was also the highest performance score among all carriers across all global regions and all categories. Oman Air (WY) followed in second place, also with an impressive OTP of 93.32%. With a remarkable thirteen-point increase over last month’s performance, Royal Jordanian (RJ) climbed from seventh to third place this month with an OTP of 89.68%. Gulf Air (GF) remained in fourth place with an OTP of 88.35%, a 4-point increase over February’s OTP of 84.08%. Qatar Airways (QR) finished the month in fifth place with an OTP of 87.36%, a 4-point increase over the previous month’s OTP of 83.27%. Airports in the region also showed huge improvements in their performance this month. King Khalid International Airport (RUH) secured the second-place spot in the global airports category with an OTP of 87.32% following a 4-point increase from last month’s OTP of 83.13%. Kuwait International Airport (KWI) delivered an OTP of 87.32%, up nearly 7 points from February’s performance of 80.51%. Meanwhile, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) turned in an OTP of 91.61%, a 2-point increase over last month’s OTP of 89.57%.

    Innovation Hubs Enable Collaboration

    One of the most exciting developments in the region’s aviation industry is the emergence of innovation hubs like Emirate’s Ebdaa in Dubai. Ebdaa serves as a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and sustainable energy. This state-of-the-art facility brings together the brightest minds from universities, technology suppliers, and startups to drive the development of cutting-edge solutions. From hydrogen-powered aircraft prototypes to advanced air traffic management systems, the groundbreaking projects emerging from Ebdaa are testament to the region’s commitment to shaping the future of aviation.

    But innovation is not limited to the development of new technologies. The Middle East’s aviation industry is also pioneering new approaches to training and passenger experience.

    Emirates, for example, has also embraced extended reality and immersive experiences to enhance the onboarding and training of its aircrew and employees. By providing realistic simulations of the working environment, these technologies are reducing training times and ensuring a smoother transition for new hires.

    Similarly, Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, is leading the charge with its plans for a fully touchless, walk-through experience through 2024. Passengers will enjoy seamless check-in, security clearance, and boarding processes, thanks to advanced biometric technology. This initiative not only reduces wait times and enhances safety but also provides a more hygienic and convenient travel experience in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similar advancements are being implemented across the region, revolutionizing the way passengers navigate airports and interact with airline staff.

    However, the rapid growth and innovation in the Middle East’s aviation industry are not without challenges. The region faces a shortage of skilled labour, with estimates suggesting that the UAE alone will require around 22,000 pilots and crew members by 2033. To address this issue, countries in the region are investing in training and development programs, partnering with educational institutions to nurture the next generation of aviation professionals.

    Another challenge is the need for sustainable practices in the face of climate change. While the Middle East’s airlines and airports have made significant strides in reducing their carbon footprint, there is still much work to be done. The adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft, and the implementation of eco-friendly ground operations are all critical steps in ensuring the industry’s long-term sustainability. To this end airlines and airports across the region are investing heavily in eco-friendly initiatives, such as the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, the development of fuel-efficient aircraft, and the implementation of green ground operations. Etihad Airways, for example, has pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 50% by 2035 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. These efforts are not limited to operational benefit but are also vital for securing the financial backing for the industry with many deals coming with “green strings attached”. Cirium has also invested heavily in this area and recently secured accreditation for Emerald Sky from the Rocky Mountain Institute for the first climate-aligned finance framework tailored for the aviation industry.

    Despite these challenges, the mood in the Middle East’s aviation industry is one of optimism and determination.

    The region’s leaders recognize the immense potential of the sector and are committed to investing in its future. From the ambitious plans of Saudi Arabia to the strategic partnerships being forged across the region, there is a sense of unity and purpose in driving the industry forward.

    In the coming years, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking advancements emerging from the region. From the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft to the implementation of seamless, touchless travel experiences, the Middle East’s aviation industry is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. As these innovations take flight, they will not only transform the way we travel but also inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. The Middle East’s aviation success story is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and innovation. As the region continues to invest in its people, its infrastructure, and its technologies, it is laying the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable future. With its eyes fixed firmly on the horizon, the Middle East is ready to take the global aviation industry to new heights, one innovation at a time.

  • Volotea’s Efficiency Drives Excellent Passenger Experiences

    In the competitive landscape of European air travel, Volotea Airlines distinguishes itself not only through its unique route strategy but also by its unwavering commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction. A recent discussion between Cirium’s Jim Hetzel, Director of Product Marketing and Eduard Diviu, Volotea’s Chief Operating Officer, sheds light on the airline’s strategic maneuvers and operational focus areas that contribute significantly to its high passenger approval.

    Strategic Growth and Unique Route Selection

    Volotea’s growth strategy is both ambitious and strategic, the airline has increased its fleet from 41 aircraft at the end of 2023 to 44 to start the summer season of 2024 and boost operations from around 70,000 to nearly 80,000 flights this year. Also, for this 2024, Volotea estimates reaching 450 routes and anticipates offering between 12.5 and 13 million seats (between 12% and 16% more than in 2023).

    Unlike its competitors, Volotea zeroes in on connecting small and middle-sized cities, creating a niche market where it faces less competition and can offer more personalized service.

    This approach not only meets the underserved demand but also fosters a loyal customer base appreciative of the direct routes to their preferred destinations.

    Prioritizing Departure Performance

    While Volotea believes in excellent arrival on-time performance (OTP), a cornerstone of Volotea’s operational strategy is its focus on departure performance where they have more direct control of factors impacting their operations. Understanding the pivotal role timely departures play in the overall travel experience and the downstream impact on arrival performance, the airline has set rigorous standards to minimize both delays and cancellations. This dedication is reflected in Volotea’s compliance with EU 261 regulations, demonstrating Volotea’s commitment to punctuality and reliability. The outcome is an impressive reduction in flight delays to a mere 0.26% of flight operations, a testament to the airline’s operational efficiency and passenger-centric approach.

    Volotea leverages Cirium’s operational OTP data analytics to benchmark their performance against competitors in the region.

    Balancing Operational Costs With Customer Satisfaction

    Achieving a harmonious balance between maintaining low fares and operational costs while ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction is critical for any low-cost carrier.

    With a smaller fleet size than many of their competitors, Volotea excels in this domain by optimizing aircraft utilization and managing operational complexities with finesse.

    Despite the challenges posed by a limited number of spare aircraft and geographically dispersed bases in France, Italy, Spain and Greece, Volotea leverages its resources effectively to deliver exceptional service. The airline’s proactive stance on leveraging their spare resources not only for maintenance but also to swiftly address unforeseen disruptions minimizes the impact on passengers and maintains the airline’s reputation for reliability.

    Leveraging Operational Efficiency for Enhanced Passenger Experience

    Volotea’s strategic focus extends beyond just on-time departures to encompass efficient turn times and judicious use of spare aircraft. This comprehensive approach ensures minimal disruption, reduced cancellations, and keeps operational costs in check, allowing the airline to offer high value at the lowest possible cost as their customers demand. Such operational excellence directly correlates with positive passenger experiences, as evidenced by Volotea’s commendable NPS score of ~32 in 2023, an impressive improvement of 50% over 2022.  Volotea’s passenger experience is further underscored by exceptional review across independent sources.

    Volotea’s passenger experience is further underscored by exceptional review across independent sources.

    Volotea was awarded a four-star rating in 2024 and recognized by Skytrax -the industry’s most prestigious international air transport rating organization- in its global passenger satisfaction survey as the “Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe” at the 2023 World Airline Awards. The airline adds this accolade to its growing list of achievements, which includes consecutive wins for “Europe’s Leading Low-Cost Airline” at the World Travel Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2024. Furthermore, 92% of Megavolotea customers would recommend traveling with the airline, highlighting its high customer satisfaction rates.

    Looking Ahead

    As Volotea continues to navigate the skies of Europe, its commitment to operational efficiency, strategic growth, and customer satisfaction remains unwavering. Through a balanced operation that leverages full resource utilization and prioritizes punctuality, Volotea is set to soar higher, further cementing its position as a preferred choice for travelers seeking reliability, convenience, and value.

    Volotea’s success story is a compelling example of how strategic planning, operational efficiency, and a customer-centric approach can converge to create a positive and memorable travel experience. As the airline moves forward with its ambitious plans, passengers can expect continued excellence in service, reaffirming Volotea’s status as a leading low-cost carrier in the European aviation space.

    “Our goal is to consistently provide the best service to our passengers, enhancing their travel experience from booking to the end of their journey at very competitive rates.

    Every year, we adjust our commercial program and operational set-up to maintain high utilization while ensuring top on-time performance (OTP) and reliability.

    So far this year, our OTP15 exceeds 83%, and we are focused on maintaining this punctuality for the flights we operate during the summer season. In 2023, Volotea achieved a flight completion rate of 99.3%, ranking us among the top three airlines in Europe. This level of efficiency is achieved through our crews’ hard work and skill, who manage quick turnarounds, typically between 25 to 35 minutes, which is essential for our continuous improvement and customer satisfaction”. Eduard Diviu, Chief Operating Officer Volotea.

    CIRIUM IS DELIGHTED TO BE SUPPORTING VOLOTEA’S OUT-OF-THE-BOX THINKING AND PROUD TO BE ITS DATA PROVIDER. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CIRIUM’S POWERFUL DATA AND CUTTING-EDGE ANALYTICS, EXPLORE CIRIUM AIRLINE OPERATIONS. 

  • Cirium Joins Trees4Travel for Sustainable Travel Solutions

    EmeraldSky logo representing aircraft and flight emissions

    London, UK – 22 April 2024 – Cirium, the global leader in aviation data analytics, has formed a strategic partnership with Trees4Travel, a pioneer in merging technology with business objectives to further environmental sustainability.  This collaboration boosts the travel industry’s ability to make environmentally friendly decisions by offering accurate insights into air travel emissions, both during the booking process and for ESG reporting.

    The partnership is centered around the introduction of Cirium’s Emerald Sky, a groundbreaking and fully auditable aircraft emissions platform.

    Unlike traditional carbon calculators relying on assumptions and estimates, Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge techniques and Cirium’s access to exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft. It meticulously considers crucial factors including specific aircraft and engine configuration, age, flight duration (both physical taxi and airtime), and passenger and cargo load, providing a comprehensive calculation based on fuel burn as opposed to distance estimates. This precision in measuring aircraft CO2 emissions offers stakeholders valuable insights for developing far more effective CO2 reduction strategies.

    Through this partnership, corporations will have the ability to modify travel practices by choosing flights with lower carbon emissions, which in turn helps reduce the environmental impact of business travel. It supports streamlined reporting on environmental efforts and accurately tracks progress towards achieving significant carbon reductions . As a result, Trees4Travel corporate customers can make smarter travel decisions, enhance their environmental disclosures and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting, and effectively benchmark their progress.

    Trees4Travel is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices within the travel and events industries, encouraging a shift towards more regenerative operations. Cirium is committed to leading the aviation industry towards a net-zero emissions future by 2050 through dependable, independent emissions analysis

    “This partnership is a critical milestone in Cirium’s mission to provide the most comprehensive and accurate flight emissions tracking in the industry.”

    Jeremy Bowen, CEO of Cirium

    “Cirium has significantly invested in the development of Emerald Sky, an advanced platform that leverages schedule information from over 900 airlines, updated 280,000 times daily, and fully auditable.”

    “You cannot reduce what you do not measure – this collaboration takes carbon management to another level.”

    Nico Nicholas, CEO of Trees4Travel

    “We are absolutely delighted to offer Cirium’s leading technology – with the number of global air passengers expected to increase significantly over the next 30 years, together with corporate sustainability reporting regulations coming in thick and fast, Cirium’s scrupulous flight analytics being offered within our existing carbon calculators allows us to offer a whole suite of ultra sophisticated tools to measure emissions, from scope 1 to scope 4 (soon!). An important ‘string to our bow’ for both us and our TMC partners, backing that up with our nature and tech hybrid decarbonization programs means we have a world changing environmental offer,” says CEO Nico Nicholas of Trees4Travel.

    About Trees4Travel
    Trees4Travel is an environmental ‘tech and business for good’ company, enabling the travel and events industries to transform and cultivate a regenerative approach to their activities by measuring, managing, and mitigating emissions, through simple, affordable, impactful climate contributions. A hybrid process of restoring forests, biodiversity, supporting communities, whilst simultaneously investing into clean energy projects and innovations, focusing on 15 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Trees4Travel creates global partnerships to harmonise travel and events with the environment, to educate and build a more ethical, sustainable world for now and future generations to come. www.trees4travel.com

    About Cirium 
    Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth. 

    Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.  The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. 

    For more information, follow Cirium® on LinkedIn or visit cirium.com.

  • Cirium Accredited by RMI for Aviation Finance Emissions Data

    Cirium, the most trusted source of aviation analytics, is proud to be named a qualified data provider by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) with the release of the Pegasus Guidelines. This significant milestone underscores Cirium’s commitment to the reduction of aviation flight emissions and its pivotal role in fostering a greener future for commercial aviation.

    The Pegasus Guidelines mark a pioneering step as the first climate-aligned finance framework tailored for the aviation industry.

    Crafted to guide banks and financial institutions, these guidelines aim to harmonize investment choices with decarbonization goals. They equip financiers with the tools to independently assess and report the emission intensity and climate conformity of their aviation finance portfolios, benchmarking against a 1.5°C scenario to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050.

    Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge fuel burn methodology and exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft.

    At the heart of Cirium’s achievement is Emerald Sky which revolutionizes independent aircraft emission measurement by combining data, analytics, and innovative methods to ensure unparalleled precision. Unlike traditional carbon solutions relying on great circle flight distance and generalized aircraft assumptions, Emerald Sky utilizes cutting-edge fuel burn methodology and exclusive data to precisely calculate the fuel consumption and CO2 output of aircraft. It meticulously considers crucial factors including aircraft model, aircraft attributes (i.e., winglets), engine types, age, flight duration (both physical taxi and airtime), and passenger and cargo load, providing a comprehensive assessment based on fuel burn versus less accurate distance estimates. This precision in measuring aircraft CO2 emissions offers stakeholders valuable insights for developing more effective CO2 flight emission reporting by aircraft, portfolio, operator and enables carbon reduction strategies and incentives.

    Cirium’s innovation simplifies tracking flight emissions for banks, financiers, and other stakeholders, aiding in accurate emission assessment and reduction in line with the Pegasus Guidelines and global environmental goals.

    Key Highlights

    • Accreditation by RMI: Cirium’s recognition as a Qualified Data Provider reflects its adherence to the highest standards of data accuracy and reliability in emissions tracking.
    • Emerald Sky: This cutting-edge tool provides comprehensive insights into aviation emissions, enabling effective reporting and implementation of carbon reduction strategies with trusted and validated data analytics.
    • Commitment to Sustainability: By utilizing Cirium’s EmeraldSky, banks, financiers, and Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFI) can significantly advance their commitment to the Pegasus Guidelines and make tangible progress towards achieving net-zero emissions.

    Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the accreditation, stating, “This acknowledgment from RMI not only validates our efforts but also strengthens our resolve to drive the aviation industry towards a sustainable future. With Emerald Sky, we’re equipping our customers with the data and analytics they need to make informed decisions about their environmental impact.”

    Cirium’s accreditation by RMI as a Qualified Data Provider under the Pegasus Guidelines is more than an achievement; it underscores the need for all aviation stakeholders to prioritize sustainability. Through the use of Emerald Sky, stakeholders have a the most accurate and precise data analytics at their disposal to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier planet.

    Learn more about Cirium’s Emerald Sky Flight Emissions.

  • Ask and You Shall Receive: Talking to Data for Smart Insights

    Thomas Burke, Director of Software Engineering, UI Platform, Cirium

    Alex Brooker, VP of Research, Development and Discovery, Cirium

    In a world where data is often referred to as the new oil, the ways we access and analyze it are evolving at an extraordinary pace. Undoubtedly, one of the most exciting advancements in this space is the entry of large language models (LLMs) into the mainstream. Developers across all industries now have access to APIs that allow them to unlock the incredible capabilities of LLMs.

    Among the many promising applications of these technologies is the ability to bring natural language-driven data access into reality. Data practitioners are always on the lookout for efficiencies in extracting information from their data, and LLMs provide compelling new capabilities to achieve this.

    As powerful as LLMs are, it’s important to note that they cannot inherently understand your data, but when properly leveraged they can help you query and summarize data. They need some guidance, though, often provided in the form of metadata to aid in accurately converting a natural language prompt into a data query.

    One common method is Text-to-SQL. Leveraging the power of a general-purpose LLM, it involves providing the user’s question, a “system prompt” outlining the specifics of SQL behavior, and detailed metadata about your database schema to the LLM. The result? A SQL query that you can validate, sanitize, and execute against your database.

    “What is the current location of flight AA 100?”

    Another prevalent strategy is known as Function Calling. This technique employs a language model to generate parameters that can be used to call a function. For instance, to answer the questions “What is the current location of flight AA 100?” “What is the chance my flight could be delayed?”, Function Calling could generate necessary parameters to call the Cirium Sky API, summarize the returned data as natural language, and relay the output to the user without hallucinations.

    The choice between Text-to-SQL or Function Calling depends on the task at hand. While Text-to-SQL is arguably more expressive and can deliver complex insights, Function Calling might be preferable for reasons of reliability and security, dependent on the implementation.

    A Semantic Layer aids in flexible modeling and describing data in a way that’s programmatically accessible.

    Regardless of the technique you opt for, providing access to metadata is crucial. A common and effective solution for this is implementing a Semantic Layer. A Semantic Layer aids in flexible modeling and describing data in a way that’s programmatically accessible. This can help provide a scalable solution to ensuring appropriate metadata is provided to the language model.

    In summary, the integration of natural language-driven data access and analysis augments the capabilities of data professionals, automates complex tasks and promotes efficiency in dealing with substantial data sets. LLMs are only part of the system behind any product, and both Text-to-SQL and function calling are now part of the stack.

    As LLMs continue to evolve, we can expect even more exciting developments in this field. Stay tuned to this space for more updates and reach out to engage with our R&D team.

    Interested in the latest Generative AI technology?

    Contact the team to receive the latest updates or register your interest to work with our labs team. Learn more about Cirium Sky API.

  • Beyond Chatbots: How AI Can Transform Aviation and Its Challenges

    Alex Brooker, VP of Research, Development and Discovery, Cirium

    What is AI and Why is It Important for Aviation?

    AI, or artificial intelligence, is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making.

    AI has the potential to transform the aviation industry in many ways, such as improving safety, efficiency, and customer experience. For example, AI can help airlines optimize their pricing strategies, predict and prevent maintenance issues, and enhance flight operations and air traffic management. AI can also help airports streamline their operations, security, and passenger services, and provide travelers with personalized and seamless journeys.

    What Are the Main Challenges for AI Adoption in Aviation?

    However, harnessing AI in aviation is not without challenges. The aviation industry is one of the most complex and regulated sectors in the world, where safety is paramount and data is critical.

    Some of the Key Challenges That AI Faces in Aviation Are:

    • Data management: Aviation generates huge amounts of data from various sources, such as aircraft sensors, air traffic control systems, weather reports, passenger information, and more. Integrating and harmonizing these diverse datasets into a unified and reliable source for analysis is a major challenge for AI applications.
    • Scalability and safety: Aviation systems involve human decision-making potentially alongside AI, and require rigorous validation and verification processes to ensure safety and compliance. AI systems must be able to explain how they reach their decisions and recommendations, and be audited and monitored for their performance and behaviour.
    • Reward functions and side effects: AI systems can be driven by complex reward functions that define their objectives and motivate their actions. However, designing the semantics that capture the desired outcomes while avoiding unintended consequences is hard in a complex environment like aviation, where there are many interrelated factors and trade-offs.
    • Data distribution shift: AI models are trained on specific datasets, but may encounter different real-world data when they are deployed. This can lead to a mismatch between the expected and actual behaviour of the AI system, and compromise its accuracy and reliability. For example, an AI system that sets ticket prices based on historical demand may fail to account for second order behaviour change by the actors in the system – such as customers responding to a pricing strategy.

    Despite these challenges, the drivers for change go beyond cost or productivity: The well documented acute skills shortage, exacerbated during the pandemic as many experienced professionals retied early, including Air Traffic Controllers, Pilots and other technical roles may necessitate the faster adoption of supportive automation and analytics Ai systems.

    How Can Cirium Help Overcome These Challenges?

    Cirium is a leading provider of data and analytics solutions for the aviation industry. Cirium leverages AI to create new insights and products that help aviation stakeholders solve their most pressing problems and seize new opportunities. For example, Cirium uses AI to infer aircraft maintenance on the ground enabling powerful predictive future utilization capabilities. This helps Cirium customers plan and predict their own but also future competitor availability and performance. Cirium also uses AI to detect and update flight delays and ETAs based on historical and real-time data, helping airlines, travel agents, and passengers communicate and coordinate more effectively.

    Interested in the Latest Generative AI Technology?

    Contact the team to receive the latest updates or register your interest to work with our labs team.

  • Jeremy Bowen on data’s role in aviation sustainability

    Cirium CEO, Jeremy Bowen, talks sustainability in aviation with Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, in the latest installment of Sustainability in the Air, a brand-new podcast out now.  Listen in to learn how Cirium is empowering the industry to deliver on its sustainability promise with the most accurate data-driven methodology for calculating emissions and more importantly, why it matters.  Read on for six key insights from the podcast.

    Q: What is the key challenge facing the aviation industry in operating sustainably?

    A: The industry is expected to grow substantially but faces challenges in decarbonizing as the world moves to net-zero emissions. Without action, the industry would contribute to significantly higher global CO2 emissions by 2050 and could face restrictions that could be detrimental to its revenues and jobs, such as the banning of flights less than 500 miles.  The industry has been making progress to reduce indirect emissions.  However, the key challenge is that it is particularly hard to decarbonize. We don’t have proven solutions to tackle aviation yet.

    Q: How does Cirium’s strategy align to the idea of an emissions free industry?

    A: Cirium has an opportunity to make a significant play in Sustainability. Cirium’s vision is to become the industry’s trusted partner in sustainability, leveraging our unique data assets and independence to deliver the most accurate source of both historic and predicted carbon emissions data for the aviation industry; empowering the industry to deliver on its sustainable promise and future.

    Q: What role is Cirium playing in helping the industry to address this challenge?

    A: As corporations around the globe sign pledges to align with the universal goal set forth by the Paris Agreement (become Net Zero by no later than 2050), inaccurate calculations and reporting can lead to businesses and travelers making the wrong decisions about strategies, practices, and purchases.

    Our emissions calculations methodology is unrivalled in the industry. We’ve taken a data-driven approach to emissions; fusing data from varied sources and all angles of the aircraft to deliver more accurate and precise estimates.

    Q: How is your emissions calculator different and what problems can it solve that can’t be solved by other carbon calculators that exist?

    A: Cirium has prioritized accuracy in its sustainability offering so that we earn trust from the industry. Leveraging our vast data sources, we consider significantly more inputs in our carbon calculation reflecting airline investments in operating efficiently. A less accurate methodology does not account for improvements in operational efficiencies and do not incentivize the airlines to make these investments.

    There are six key differentiators in Cirium’s methodology:

    • We utilize fuel burn models on aircraft master series, engine master series and winglet type, giving us 170+ different fuel burn models based on the aircraft operating the flight.
    • Our flight emissions methodology is flight time-based as opposed to other carbon calculators using flight distance based. By using taxi time and airtime, emissions are calculated based on the operational efficiency of the flight.
    • When allocating carbon to a given seat/passenger, Cirium recognizes it’s not as simple as dividing the flight carbon between the number of seats on the aircraft. We use our aircraft cabin data to accurately reflect the occupied cabin space for each seat class and allocate the carbon accurately.
    • By predicting fuel use and carbon emissions for each passenger operated flight, we are not reliant on airlines submitting us data. This positions Cirium as a neutral party within the industry in comparing performance.
    • We have validated our carbon methodology through data sharing with our strategic airline partners. These validation exercises showed our fuel estimates can achieve 98-99% accuracy against reported fuel use.
    • Cirium methodology uses seat-level vs. flight-level data.  Flight-level emissions data conveys the emissions generated by the operation of a flight.  Seat-level emissions data is calculated by taking flight-level data and removing emissions associated with the weight of cargo transported, leaving the portion of the flight emissions associated with the passengers transported.  We then take the passenger portion and distribute it across the total number of seats on the aircraft based upon the dimensions of each cabin seat. This is an important differentiation for Cirium as most methodologies apply standard weighting factors that limit transparency.

    Q: Why Cirium?  What are Cirium’s competitive advantages?

    A: Cirium has four key advantages over others in the field:

    • Cirium is a trusted market leader with decades of providing comprehensive industry data – including fleet, schedules, flight status, etc.
    • Cirium has accurate and granular data – tracking all aspects of the flight. Cirium also actively maintain and update the data ingredients that go into our emissions calculations, so our customers are sure to get continuous transparency into emissions as the entire ecosystem continues to take actions to improve fuel and operational efficiency.  Our coverage includes nearly all commercial passenger flights globally.  This gives us flight emissions for 800+ airlines globally.
    • Cirium maintains neutrality in the market and as an independent provider, we can provide unbiased data and insight.
    • Cirium expertise includes deep industry knowledge and unparalleled experience.

    Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges on the horizon?

    A: The biggest opportunity for the industry is to continue to grow and provide safe, efficient transportation to people around the world while reducing the impact on our planet.  In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of our climate crisis and the aviation industry has a significant role to play. 

    Regarding challenges… there are plenty. But one challenge that immediately comes to mind is changing human behavior. We all need to make sustainability our problem – not just someone else’s problem.  Each of us needs to personally commit to reducing our carbon footprint.  We have become accustomed to convenience and didn’t think twice about jumping on a plane for a quick meeting but that’s changed. We must change our behavior to scrutinize the effect of our actions…big and small, it all matters.

    To listen to the complete interview with more questions and insights, visit the SimpliFlying website here.

  • Accurate flight emissions data now available via Cirium Sky

    • Cirium’s CO2 emissions calculations, commended by American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic for accuracy, are now available in Cirium Sky
    • The Cirium Sky, aviation data warehouse, provides secure cloud access to Cirium’s comprehensive datasets
    • Cirium Sky democratizes data and unifies it in one place enabling it to drive operational efficiencies and faster decision making

    The air travel industry now has easy access to the most accurate carbon emissions data from the aviation analytics firm, Cirium, through its new aviation data warehouse, Cirium Sky.

    Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium said: “We developed Cirium Sky to offer a single-source solution to the market, where businesses can access Cirium’s extensive data warehouse in the cloud, at any time or place.

    The level of precision and accuracy of Cirium’s CO2 emissions calculations for flights far exceeds estimates available today and accessing this data via Cirium Sky enables our clients to fulfill their sustainability objectives faster and more cost effectively.”

    Cirium Sky enables our clients to fulfill their sustainability objectives faster and more cost effectively.

    Jeremy Bowen

    As the aviation industry rebuilds from the impact of the pandemic, the need for businesses to report on their Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) footprint has increasingly taken center stage.

    Reducing aviation’s emissions will require for airlines, airports, Air Service Navigation Providers (ANSPs), aircraft financiers and manufacturers, and travel companies to use accurate data which considers many variables that can impact a flight’s emissions, including but not limited to, aircraft and engine specifications, airline schedules and actual flight operations.

    Andrew O’Connor, VP of Journey and Sustainability at Cirium said: “We have seen a lack of consistency in the flight emissions reporting so far, which has driven less consensus on agreed metrics to be used to measure emissions effectively.

    The Cirium team is on a mission to establish the standard for accurate carbon emissions data and are focused on historical and predicted fuel burn and emissions per aircraft, the flight and the cabin seat class. These building blocks are core to almost all aviation sustainability use cases.”

    These building blocks are core to almost all aviation sustainability use cases.

    Andrew O’Connor

    Cirium Sky leverages the latest technology to democratize data and unify it in one place to enable businesses to identify operational inefficiencies, lower costs, reduce financial risks, and identify new service opportunities.  

    With the availability of comprehensive historical and predicted aircraft fuel burn and CO2 emissions data, Cirium Sky offers the most complete and deepest range of aviation datasets in the industry, including global schedules and connections, flight status, air traffic management, weather, global aircraft fleet, and fares and passenger traffic

    The accuracy of Cirium’s data and analytics is supported by strong data partnerships with over 900 airlines, airports worldwide, ADS-B satellite tracking, Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and more.

    Find out more about Cirium Sky.

    About Cirium 
    Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth. 

    Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.  The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. 

    For more information, follow Cirium® on LinkedIn or visit cirium.com.

    For media enquiries please contact:
    Cirium media team: media@cirium.com
    US: Mike Arnot at cirium@juliettalpha.com
    EMEA: The PC Agency at cirium@pc.agency

  • Cirium to set the standard for airline CO2 emission reporting

    • Cirium develops a methodology to calculate the most accurate, historic, and predicted flight emissions data in the marketplace
    • American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways commend Cirium’s approach for estimating fuel burn and allocating emissions at a passenger level
    • Leading insurance firm, Zurich, partners with Cirium to measure their corporate travel emissions and influence their travel strategies


    Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium said: “The level of precision and accuracy of Cirium’s CO2 emissions calculations far exceeds estimates generally available today.”

    American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic each have independently commended Cirium for the superior approach and accuracy of Cirium’s fuel burn estimations through their own extensive analysis.

    Holly Boyd-Boland, Vice President, Corporate Development at Virgin Atlantic said: “Virgin Atlantic operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets across the Atlantic. Accurate measuring, monitoring, and forecasting of CO2 emissions is critical as we target and monitor progress to Net Zero 2050, allowing us to better understand our environmental impact. Importantly, it also provides a tool to empower our customers to track and choose airlines with the lowest carbon footprint.”

    “Cirium is leading the way in this field, building data and forecasting capabilities that are the most accurate we have seen to date, as verified against our own historical fuel burn and emissions data.”


    Jill Blickstein, Head of ESG, at American Airlines said: “To reduce our emissions and reach net zero by 2050, we’re taking action to run a more fuel-efficient operation with more fuel-efficient aircraft powered increasingly by low-carbon fuel. And we’re holding ourselves accountable by becoming the first airline in the world with a 2035 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.”

    “Reducing aviation’s emissions will require partnership among the airlines, our suppliers and our customers – and it’s important to build those partnerships on sound emissions data and calculations. Cirium brings deep aviation expertise to the table on this important topic, and the approach they’ve taken considers numerous variables of an aircraft and its operations.”

    Cirium has fused numerous data elements including but not limited to, aircraft and engine specifications, airline schedules, and actual flight operations to create a holistic view of the actual emissions footprint. This enables Cirium clients to view the emissions by operator, aircraft type or geographical region and on a historical, or predictive basis, solving a variety of use cases.

    “Our mission is to establish the standard for accurate fuel burn and carbon emissions data to empower the aviation industry to deliver on its sustainability targets. For the industry to achieve their goals of halving CO2 emissions by 2050 compared with 2005, a clear methodology is needed,” said Bowen.

    “We are thrilled to have our model corroborated by leading carriers around the globe.”

    The emissions data can also be merged with passenger booking information to provide corporations with their carbon footprint. This enables corporations to gain more insight into their emissions and uncover where opportunities exist to reduce their emissions, and help travelers understand their own carbon footprint associated with the flights they choose.

    Cirium’s unrivaled emissions data is also being used by leading corporate travel departments, including organizations such as Zurich Insurance, a global insurance firm. Zurich is using Cirium’s calculations to measure their corporate travel emissions, explore opportunities to reduce emissions, and empower their employees to make better travel decisions.

    Kara Brayton, Assistant Vice President, Head of Corporate Travel Management at Zurich said: “It’s been exciting to collaborate with Cirium under a proof-of-concept, utilizing data to help provide Zurich with insight to better inform our employees around the carbon impact of their decisions when booking airfare.”

    “With travel being such a large category of emissions, these types of relationships are key to leading sustainable business travel programs of the future. I am thankful for Cirium’s willingness to engage and explore a personalized solution with us.”

    Cirium’s CO2 emissions calculations are being made available through existing products in Cirium’s portfolio and in new products, to meet the evolving market needs. Learn more.

    For media enquiries please contact:
    Cirium PR: media@cirium.com
    The PC Agency (EMEA): cirium@pc.agency or +44 207 768 0001
    Juliett Alpha Media Relations (Americas): cirium@juliettalpha.com
    TrainTracks (Japan): cirium@traintracks.com

    About Cirium 
    Cirium® is the world’s most trusted source of aviation analytics. The company delivers powerful data and cutting-edge analytics to empower a wide spectrum of industry players. It equips airlines, airports, travel enterprises, aircraft manufacturers, and financial entities with the clarity and intelligence they need to optimize their operations, make informed decisions, and accelerate revenue growth. 

    Cirium® is part of LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, a RELX business, which provides information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers.  The shares of RELX PLC are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. 

    For more information, follow Cirium® on LinkedIn or visit cirium.com.