Jet2.com and Jet2holidays publish updated sustainability strategy

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have today published an updated sustainability strategy, detailing how the companies are taking bold, tangible actions on route to net zero by 2050, together with the launch of a new 2024-2035 climate transition plan which will bring Jet2.com’s carbon intensity in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidance by 2035.

The strategy also describes the progress Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have already achieved in the air, on the Ground and in Resort on their journey to net zero since the publication of their first sustainability strategy in September 2021. 

A key component of the updated strategy is a new climate transition plan, focused on existing technologies and tangible actions that can be taken currently. This will see Jet2.com reduce its carbon emissions per revenue paying passenger kilometre (gCO2/RPK) by 35% in 2035 compared to 2019 (43.55gCO2/RPK in 2035 vs 67gCO2/RPK in 2019).

This emissions reduction pathway will bring Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions in line with SBTi guidance by 2035 and Jet2.com will be seeking SBTi validation of this in 2024. The tangible actions that will enable Jet2.com to achieve this include:

• The purchase of up to 146 new Airbus A321/320neo aircraft that are over 20% more fuel efficient than older aircraft.
• Increasing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the total fuel mix to a minimum of 15% by 2035.
• Further electrification of Jet2.com owned ground service equipment, leading to a 99% reduction in emissions.

The climate transition plan also identifies the important role that the UK’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy and the EU’s Single European Sky initiative both have in reducing emissions, with more direct flight paths expected to deliver an 8% fuel reduction across Jet2.com’s network by 2035.

The strategy details a number of other actions that Jet2 is taking, such as the introduction of new technology to provide real-time operational data and analysis that can drive fuel savings, weight-reduction initiatives, expanding Jet2holidays’ Certified Sustainable Hotels collection, and reducing the energy use from Jet2 owned buildings to net-zero. Furthermore, the companies have committed to disclosing all Scope 3 emissions associated with their entire supply chain.

From 2021-2023, Jet2.com offset every tonne of its carbon emissions not already covered by its contribution to existing schemes (CORSIA and UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes). The updated strategy will see the company commute these funds to invest in direct mitigations, such as SAF and the installation of split-scimitar winglets onto aircraft, rather than continuing to invest in further renewable energy credits.

The updated strategy focuses on technologies and pragmatic actions that are available and can be taken currently. Jet2 also commits to understanding and exploring emerging technologies such as Direct Air Carbon Capture (DACC) and Bio Energy Carbon Capture (BECC), with a view to making future investments in such technologies where appropriate.

In addition to looking ahead, the strategy also details what Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have achieved In The Air, On The Ground and In Resort on their journey to net zero since the publication of their first sustainability strategy in September 2021. 

This includes an equity investment into a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production plant to be constructed in the North West of England, the use of a blend of SAF in 2024 at Bristol, London Stansted and Malaga Airports, and the receipt of five new aircraft up to the end of 2023 from an order of up to 146 new Airbus A321/A320 neo aircraft (this has since increased to seven).

Jet2.com reduced its calendar year intensity emissions in 2023 to 65.7g of CO2 per revenue paying passenger kilometre and was recognised amongst the top ten airlines globally for sustainability, according to the CAPA 2023 sustainability benchmark report.

As well as In The Air, the strategy details the positive progress and results that the companies have achieved On The Ground and In Resort. 

This includes Jet2holidays launching a Certified Sustainable Hotels collection, which now features over 950 hotels, whilst Jet2.com has electrified over 50% of its owned ground service vehicles, converted offices to renewable energy tariffs, and switched 22 million single-use plastic items that are used onboard its aircraft to an alternative material.

In addition to committing to report annually on the progress it is making, Jet2 has also created a social value framework within the strategy which is aimed at supporting colleagues and the communities where Jet2 operates. 

This addresses eight areas of focus, four which are within Jet2 (training and development, well-being, inclusion and access, health and safety) and four which are outside the company (jobs and skills, communities, partnerships and ethics, risk and safety).

The strategy concludes by calling for more action from governments to help the industry decarbonise. With the aviation industry relying on policy frameworks that enable decarbonisation, as well as certainty over EU and UK legislation, the strategy calls for the following from both the UK Government and the EU:

• Upscale the UK Government’s investment in SAF to turbo charge the creation of new jobs, technologies and supply chains. This can be achieved by delivering the revenue certainty mechanism for SAF, but it is needed much sooner than 2026, which is the Government’s current delivery plan.
• Use the annual UK Emissions Trading Scheme revenues to incentivise decarbonisation and support the development of technologies such as direct air carbon capture.
• Work multilaterally with governments across Europe to implement Air Traffic Management reforms. Governments have talked about these much-needed reforms for many years, yet progress remains painfully slow.
• Support airport operators and detangle the challenges around upgrades to electrical infrastructure.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “I am proud of what we have achieved since launching our first sustainability strategy in 2021. We have invested in new and more fuel-efficient aircraft, as well as in SAF production here in the UK. 

We have launched a Certified Sustainable Hotels collection, removed millions of single use plastics from onboard our aircraft and met our carbon intensity reduction targets to date. As a result of all this hard work, we have been recognised amongst the top 10 airlines globally for sustainability, according to the CAPA 2023 sustainability benchmark report.”

We are publishing an updated strategy which is bolder in ambition and outlines an emissions reduction pathway which will bring Jet2.com’s 2035 carbon intensity in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) guidance. 

He added: “Critically, this emissions pathway is realistic and achievable because it is based on technologies and actions that we know are available and can be taken currently, rather than what may or may not be available in the future. In addition, we will also be closely monitoring to see where we can invest in and embrace new technologies.

Our strategy clearly sets out our vision to accelerate our sustainability journey whilst supporting our colleagues and the communities where we operate. What is now required is more tangible Government support, both here in the UK and in Europe, to help aviation decarbonise faster. 

The opportunity is right in front of us and the UK can become a global leader in SAF, carbon capture and decarbonisation technology with the right support from Government, but the time to act has to be now.”