Airfreight

Air cargo carriers are planning to cut fossil fuel use and replace a percentage of their aviation fuels with biofuels. A report about United Parcel Service Inc.—UPS?—says it plans to cut its airline fleet's greenhouse gas emissions 42% from 1990 levels, by burning less fossil fuel. Federal Express—FedEx?—says it will attempt to get 30% of its fuel from petroleum alternatives by 2030. US Department of Transportation—USDOT?—data shows that aviation accounts for about 10% of transportation-caused, US greenhouse gas emissions. UPS will invest in more fuel-efficient aircraft, introduce biofuels, reduce runway idling and better optimize flight routes, to slash its fuel costs and emissions of greenhouse gases.^Citation?

FedEx? is switching from MD-11s to Boeing 777s for its long-range, international routes. The company will also phase out Boeing 727s, replacing them with 757 models, which are 47% more fuel-efficient.

Both UPS and FedEx? are also making the switch toward more fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vans for local delivery, as well as updating their long-distance trucking operations. ^Citation? Northwest Airlines Cargo?—NWAC—is purchasing 4,200 lightweight cargo and luggage containers which the airline says could save up to 1.3 million gallons of fuel per year.^Citation? Additionally, NWAC has replaced engines on five of its freighter aircraft with more fuel efficient and higher performance engines for a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency. The move will save the airline an estimated 2.4 million gallons of fuel per year and eliminate over 26,000 tons of carbon emissions.