Flight operators get tool to improve efficiency

Tourism flight operators get tool to improve fuel efficiency and profitability

A stocktake of fuel efficiency in tourism flight operations has identified ways to reduce fuel consumption and improve profit margins.

The stocktake was carried out as part of the Tourism Energy Efficiency Programme (TEEP) - a partnership between the Tourism Industry Association (TIA) and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). It’s believed to be the first research of its type in the world for general aviation light aircraft.

Fuel is typically at least 50% of operating costs for tourist aviation companies – usually hundreds of thousands of dollars annually – so even relatively small savings can bring real financial benefits. The research highlighted a range of ways to improve efficiency safely, many of which cost little or nothing to implement.

Having a system to monitor fuel use is an essential element. One operator that took part, Queenstown-based Real Journeys, started manually recording fuel consumption and posting the results. This alone brought fuel savings of 2%, reducing its annual fuel consumption by 4,000 litres ($6,800) - simply through raising pilots’ awareness. Their system is being passed to other operators to encourage uptake.

Seven tourist flight operators took part in the stocktake, with a total of 48 aircraft. They include fixed wing planes, helicopters, float planes and ski planes from around the country. Most were used for scenic flights with one scheduled passenger service.

Other recommendations include:

- instill a company culture of fuel efficiency (alongside measuring and monitoring fuel use)
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- engage with training providers to ensure new pilots’ awareness of fuel efficiency meets industry requirements
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- consider retrofitting modern fuel management instrumentation to fuel-injected piston engines. This could deliver potential fuel savings of 10 – 15%
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- ensure aircraft are regularly washed and polished (this alone saves 2% of fuel).
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TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says: “This project reflects a commitment within the tourism industry to improve energy efficiency. Aviation is a very visible part of our industry and a sector with high energy use. We wanted to see what could be done, without compromising safety or the visitor experience, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs. Some operators are already active in this area - and some recommendations don’t apply to every aircraft. As a result of this work, we’ll be looking at how we can engage with the training industry to promote awareness. We also hope that wider uptake of fuel measuring and monitoring will provide a baseline to help analyse fuel efficiency improvement over time – helping to further build industry knowledge.”

EECA Chief Executive Mike Underhill says: “Fuel is a major cost for all transport operators, including tourism aviation. Margins are often tight - so commonsense, cost-effective ways to reduce fuel costs will deliver savings straight to the bottom line. In tourism there’s a real brand advantage to energy efficiency, because travellers are increasingly focused on the environment. There’s also a national benefit when our tourism operators can show they’re living and breathing the 100% Pure brand. This report is a good start in developing industry baselines and the tools to aid efficiency.”

Each of the participating operators received their own report, with recommendations.

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS:

Air Safaris has nine fixed-wing aircraft and operates alpine sightseeing trips through Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks. “We were keen to support the TFO stocktake, and saw it as an opportunity to review our fuel efficiency procedures,” says Chief Executive Richard Rayward. “While in general we found our culture and procedures robust, we will now put more emphasis on fuel usage monitoring, particularly comparing aircraft and per seat efficiency.”

Glenorchy Air took part in the stocktake because they believe in “putting their money where their mouth is,” says co-owner Robert Rutherford. The company, which operates three fixed-wing aircraft, has been committed to minimising its environmental impact for many years, including purchasing a technologically advanced aircraft with a very small carbon footprint and pilot training on fuel efficiency. “Taking part in the stocktake was a natural extension of that. We wanted to see if there was anything more we could do to reduce our carbon footprint and save fuel and money. We were pleased to find that most of initiatives highlighted we already have in place.”

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