Improvements to UPS flagship 767 aircraft are expected to reduce
operating costs and improve sustainability, the American courier announced last
week. All 54 of its 767 aircraft fleet, as well as five additional aircraft on
order, will benefit from new winglets by the end of 2014.
UPS 767 Aircraft. Image c/o Dylan Ashe
The winglets are arrow-shaped surfaces to be attached to the tip
of each wing, which reduce drag and lower noise emissions by enhancing take-off
performance. UPS estimates a four per cent fuel savings on each 767 flight,
amounting to 6m gallons of fuel a year and 62,000 less metric tonnes of carbon
emissions annually.
David Abney, UPS chief operating officer, commented, “We are constantly looking for ways to reduce
emissions, and drive down operating costs so our customers have the solutions
they need to compete in a global economy. These winglets are a perfect example
of sustainability in action. They are good business and good stewardship."
Winglets are already
installed on UPS's 747, and MD-11 fleets, and the A300-600 has a similar device
called a wingtip fence.
Each winglet is 11 feet tall,
will add approximately five and a half feet of span to each wing and around
1300 kilograms in weight. Even at the increased size and weight, the winglets
will still reduce the amount of fuel used per flight, due to greatly improved
aerodynamics
UPS aims to reduce its carbon
intensity by an additional 20 percent by 2020, measured against a 2005
baseline. UPS Airlines President Mitch Nichols said, “We believe there is
always some way you can improve, and we're applying that spirit to our
environmental efforts. This is a great example of how we can use existing
technology to save money, lessen our impact on the environment and serve our
customers more efficiently."
Sustainability and corporate responsibility seem top priority
for all of the major carriers. DHL recently published its 2012 corporate
responsibility report, in which its comparable intention to reduce carbon
emissions by 30% by 2020, based on a 2007 baseline, is reiterated.
Sources: UPS/DHL
