Low Tech Solution for Emissions

Image: Making aviation greener (Photo Credit: Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit)
Image: Making aviation greener (Photo Credit: Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit)
Jen Mallia
by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 9:30 AM ET, Fri August 22, 2025

Research by EmeraldSky, a Cirium platform, indicates a simple change could reduce available seat-kilometre (ASK) emissions by as much as 25 percent. The change doesn’t revolve around new aircraft or alternative fuels, it comes down to seating configuration. 

In other words, the report states, an easy way to lower the per seat emissions average is simply to add more seats. The report points to a case study of Cebu Pacific, which packs 459 seats onto its A330-900neo aircraft — 138 more seats than the global average for that craft. The result is markedly lower emissions per ASK.

While the math checks, one wonders if passengers, already subject to tight quarters in many cabins, will be willing to be more crowded, even for a cause as worthy as lowered emissions.

Related: IATA Launches New Platform to Match Airlines With Sustainable Fuel Providers

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Jen Mallia

Jen Mallia

Senior Editor

Jen Mallia is an Edmonton-based writer, editor, and Oxford comma apologist. She is a former senior editor of the CAA/AMA Insider magazines and has written for a host of publications, including The Globe and Mail. National Post, The Guardian, Today's Parent, and InStyle. 

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