Air Transat reduces its C02 emissions

Rolls-Royce's Trent 700EP engine retrofit kit will cut A330's fuel consumption

MONTREAL, July 19 /CNW Telbec/ - The Trent 700 engines that power Air Transat's five Airbus A330s will be retrofitted as part of a new, seven-year TotalCare(R) agreement signed with Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company. The retrofitting will enhance the engines' efficiency, improving their environmental performance by reducing fuel consumption by more than 1% and CO2 emissions by a total of over 4,000 tonnes per year for the five wide-body jets. The retrofit kits, derived from technology developed for the latest generation of Rolls-Royce Trent 900 and Trent 1000 engines, will improve compressor and turbine aerodynamics in the Trent 700s. The Trent 700EP kits will be installed on each of the aircraft's 10 engines over a 24-month period.

In 2003, Air Transat developed and began implementing a rigorous fuel management and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction program. Air Transat is setting itself apart by systematically applying and refining measures involving flight operations, flight planning, ground operations, engineering and catering services. Flight plan optimization, dynamic management of aircraft weight and centre of gravity, use of idle reverse thrust after landing, frequent engine washes and single-engine taxiing are among measures being applied by the airline. In the six years the program has been in force, the airline has saved a total of over 120 million litres of fuel, leading to a reduction of about 300 million kilograms of CO2.

"Air Transat is unrelenting in its initiatives to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and improve its environmental performance," pointed out Allen B. Graham, President and CEO of Air Transat.

About Air Transat

Air Transat is Canada's leading holiday travel airline. It carries some 3 million passengers annually to nearly 60 destinations in 25 countries. Air Transat has a fleet of 18 Airbus A330s and A310s. The company employs approximately 2,000 people. Air Transat is a subsidiary of Transat A.T. Inc., an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries.

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For further information: Pierre Tessier, 514 987-1616, ext. 4662, [email protected]; Source: Air Transat; www.airtransat.com