At Atlas, we strive to play a leading role in the decarbonization of the aviation industry while also being a trusted partner in delivering on our customers’ climate goals.
To guide our efforts, we have set an interim target to reduce our own (Scope 1) emissions by 20% by 2035, compared with a 2021 baseline.
In addition, we have stated our support for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines for America (A4A) goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2050, which aligns with the Paris Agreement goal to keep global warming under 1.5°C.
To achieve this goal, we developed a comprehensive, cross-functional decarbonization plan, outlining the most impactful areas where we can decrease emissions:
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a significant lever for decarbonization of the industry. Our dedicated Fuel Procurement team is actively engaged in discussions with our suppliers and customers to develop contracts that meet the SAF needs and goals of all parties, including lower carbon charters using SAF. Atlas also uses Skymetrix software to track global fuel purchases and enhance SAF purchasing options for customers. Read Partnerships for a Sustainable Future to learn more.
Advanced flight planning and tracking is one of the most impactful ways to optimize aircraft fuel efficiency. We regularly analyze the emissions and fuel efficiency of our aircraft through industry-leading software and key metrics, and we leverage this data during our decision-making processes to verify equipment is functioning within specified parameters.
We have several initiatives and technologies in place to help drive efficiencies and conserve fuel. Our FuelWise initiative helps our team optimize flight speeds, altitudes, routes, climb, cruise and descent segments. FuelWise also allows our team to continuously evaluate flight data to identify and implement new and existing best practices. In 2024, we began trials to leverage automation to advance our approach to dynamic routing and further advance operational efficiency.
We continue to invest in innovative aircraft solutions to enhance customer service, improve operational efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
In 2024, we expanded our fleet with three additional Boeing 747-8 freighters. The 747-8F remains one of the most capable and environmentally responsible freighters, offering a 20% higher payload capacity and a 16% reduction in fuel consumption compared to previous 747 models. Atlas also added two new Boeing 777s and acquired four 747-400Fs in 2024, further advancing flight operations efficiency.
