THE Wrap is a round-up of news in the travel and technology industries, and updates on how businesses in these sectors are resetting as they prepare for post-pandemic travel.
SITA achieves status as a certified carbon neutral organisation
Global air transport IT provider SITA has become a become a certified carbon neutral organisation as part of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions.
In announcing it has achieved CarbonNeutral company certification last week, SITA said this “major milestone” was realised a full year ahead of its original target of 2022 due to its “decisive actions to significantly reduce emissions associated with its business operations in 2020.”
This achievement is also well ahead of common airline industry milestones, such as 2030 and 2050, or those of the Paris Agreement, it added.
According to the organisation, it has reduced its overall emissions of greenhouse gases by 48% between 2019 and 2020. Its UN recognised carbon neutrality Planet+ programme has also been key to lowering the company’s emissions with initiatives designed to create sustainable and energy-efficient workplaces and reduce internal business travel.
SITA compensates 100% of any carbon emissions that it has been unable to reduce or eliminate by financing projects that help cut and negate existing and future carbon emissions, while supporting multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These offsetting projects include supporting reforestation and protecting biodiversity.
The company stated that apart from its ongoing commitment to further decrease emissions and achieve its reduction targets it is developing new technology to help its customers and the wider aviation industry reduce its carbon footprint.
“This work is predominately focused on streamlining aircraft operations and reducing fuel burn, with a clear and measurable reduction in carbon emissions.”
SITA acquired Paris-based startup Safety Line in July to strengthen its portfolio to help airlines drive more efficiencies and fuel savings around the aircraft while taking immediate and sustainable steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
Barbara Dalibard, CEO of SITA, said achieving the carbon neutral goal was part of the company’s ongoing sustainability journey. “Being a trusted partner to the air transport industry, we are firmly committed to helping aviation reduce its emissions and achieve its carbon reduction objectives.”
SITA’s journey to achieve carbon neutrality is summarised in this video.
Lufthansa and Travelport ink new distribution agreement to include NDC content
Lufthansa Group has signed a distribution agreement with Travelport paving the way for modern airline retailing and a diversified New Distribution Capability (NDC) programme.
Under the agreement, expected to launch in the first half of 2022, Travelport will distribute Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC content through its content distribution and travel retailing platform, Travelport+.
Both companies are already in the process of implementing end-to-end NDC functionality.
The agreement covers the groups’ carriers – Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Air Dolomiti.
Travelport said travel agencies can access the content of these airlines through Travelport+ by signing up to one of the two available commercial NDC models – the NDC Public model or NDC Bilateral model.
Jason Clarke, chief commercial Officer, travel partners at Travelport, described the new agreement with the retailing possibilities it offers as “a significant stride forward” for both companies.
Tamur Goudarzi Pour, senior vice president channel management at Lufthansa Group Network Airlines and chief commercial officer SWISS, explained the airline group is doubling down on its long-term NDC strategy during the current crisis as “creating additional customer value through advanced technology proves to be more important than ever.”
IATA appoints Philip Goh to lead in APAC as regional VP
Philip Goh is the new regional vice president, Asia Pacific (APAC), for the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
He takes over the role from Conrad Clifford who has been promoted to deputy director general since July 2021.
Goh is no stranger to the airline industry, having held various senior management roles in his 34-year career in the sector. He has worked with Singapore Airlines in Singapore and overseas, Virgin Atlantic Airways in London, as well as in the APAC region. His most recent role was as Singapore Airlines’ Sydney-based regional vice president for the South West Pacific region (2017 to 2021).
Based in Singapore where IATA’s regional office is located, Goh reports to Clifford and leads IATA’s activities across APAC.
He stated that among his immediate priorities are to engage governments to safely reopen borders and to revive the travel and tourism economy. “International aviation can then return to its crucial role as an engine to deliver social and economic benefits to countries and communities in Asia-Pacific.”
• Featured image credit: SITA
