London, 16 August 2022. Virgin Atlantic Captains have saved the equivalent of 1,000 tonnes of fuel in under six months using Signol, a behavioural economics and data science app designed to reduce fuel usage and carbon emissions.
The Signol platform uses data analysis to provide recommendations on a personalised basis on how to fly most efficiently from a fuel burn perspective. Captains are provided with individual feedback to reduce fuel usage based on optimised fuel efficiency behaviours, whilst complying with all standards of fuel management and flight safety.
Virgin Atlantic operates one of the youngest, cleanest, twin engine fleets in the skies and the roll out the Signol software earlier this year forms part of the airline’s commitment to reducing carbon.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer & Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic said: “We’ve been on a pathway to reduce fuel and carbon in our fuel efficiency programme for over a decade, whilst always looking for innovations that take us to the next level. The Signol software uses data science and behavioural economics to assist our Captains in making the most sustainable choices to reduce carbon emissions and fuel burn. In addition to our multi-billion dollar investment in fleet transformation to ensure we are operating one of the youngest, cleanest fleets, we continue to invest in innovation and technology partners across the industry who help us on our mission to create a low carbon future at pace. Signol’s ability to deliver further fuel reductions assists us in continuously moving the dial.”
Natasha Gedge, COO, Signol said: “The aviation industry is demanding environmental solutions that aren’t capital intensive and slow-moving. We’re delighted to be working with Virgin Atlantic to deliver just that - the equivalent to £1m in fuel saved in a matter of months. There is so much work going into decarbonising the aviation industry, but developing new technologies and fuels takes time. Signol helps businesses tweak behaviours to reduce carbon emissions from day one and achieve meaningful fuel savings in a matter of months through behaviour change alone.”
Virgin Atlantic achieved a 17% reduction in CO2 per RTK by 2019 by modernising its fleet and improving its operational efficiency and has committed to a 15% gross reduction in CO2 per RTK by 2026 through continued fleet transformation and operational efficiency gains.
The airline’s recent introduction of up to sixteen A330-900neo aircraft will see an 11% fuel and carbon saving compared to the A330-300s they replace, and a 50% reduction in airport noise contour.
For more information and media enquiries please contact:
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 6,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.
Sustainability remains central to the airline and since September 2019, Virgin Atlantic has welcomed nine brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, helping to transform the fleet into one of the youngest, quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. By the end of 2022, the airline will be operating a streamlined fleet of 39 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of last B747-400s and A340-600s in 2020, making its simplified fleet 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis impacted. For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic.
For the latest information on the measures we are taking to ensure our customers fly safe and well with Virgin Atlantic, please visit https://flywith.virginatlantic.com/gb/en/youre-in-safe-hands.html
About Signol
Signol is a software platform that draws on insights from behavioral economics to encourage employees to make more efficient decisions. Signol provides personalized feedback through multiple communication channels, as well as data analysis for managers. In aviation, Signol aims to use behavioral "nudges" and incentives to reduce pollution and fuel waste and cut operating costs.
Software using behavioral economics and data science to cut fuel waste and save firms millions of dollars.
