The global airline industry is serious about going green although not all flyers may realise this. A passenger flying with Japan Airlines may not find that the spoon is lighter by two gm or notice that American Airlines now only paints its signature red, white and blue stripes on the bare metal of the aircraft rather than on the entire fuselage. These steps, maintain the airlines, will help reduce the weight of the aircraft, which, in turn, will burn less
fuel and thus decrease pollution. The results, say some airlines, are already showing. American Airlines estimates that the decision not to paint the entire aircraft has helped reduce its weight and thereby the fuel-burn by almost 12 million gallons a year, cutting carbon emissions by 1,14,000 tonnes. Airlines are also experimenting by using fuel that pollutes less. In February this year, Virgin Atlantic operated its first flight using bio-fuel. The Boeing 747-400 aircraft flew from London Heathrow to Amsterdam using this environmentally friendly fuel. The results of the bio-fuel usage will be shared with other airlines in the rest of the industry that are seeking to cut carbon emissions, the President of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson, said. Even engine manufacturers and aircraft manufacturers are contributing their bit so while the Virgin test flight was undertaken in partnership with Boeing, GE Aviation. The two major aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, too are pitching in. The Airbus A-380, that entered service last year, is helping Singapore Airline deliver a 21 per cent reduction in fuel burn per seat mile over its next largest competitor aircraft, according to the airline's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chew Choon Seng. The newest Boeing aircraft, the Boeing 787, which is to enter service in the third quarter of next year, will use composite material that will further reduce the aircraft weight.

Hey its a gr8 initiative....we must rise to the occasion and do our bit to save the environment as well. In my opinion the govt in respective countries should take the lead and establish procedures whereby such initiatives are a part of corporate social responsibility and thus facilitate awareness by law enforcement