Singapore Airlines says SQ11 successfully completed an experiment on eco-friendly flight, achieving fuel savings of more than 10 tonnes and a reduction in carbon emissions of more than 33 tonnes.

The Boeing 747-400, which departed Los Angeles on Jan 31, arrived in Singapore early this morning via Tokyo.

Working with aviation authorities in Singapore, the US and Japan to ensure optimal air traffic conditions as well as employing a series of efficiency measures for all phases of the flight, SQ11 used around 6% less fuel than normally required for a similar flight.

Prior to the flight, the aircraft also underwent a special engine wash programme for all four engines (using recycled water) to optimise fuel efficiency.

The airframe was also polished to minimise drag.

To further reduce fuel consumption, ground electrical supply was used to power the aircraft while it was on the ground, instead of the plane’s auxiliary power unit.

Half an hour before the flight, the amount of fuel uplifted was  also fine-tuned, ensuring a better match with the actual aircraft takeoff weight.

The bulk of the fuel savings, however, came from using a User Preferred Route (UPR) generated from the flight planning system Lido/Flight from Lufthansa Systems.

Upon landing, brakes instead of full reverse thrust were applied to slow the aircraft, and as it was taxiing to its parking gate, one of the four engines was shut down to further conserve fuel.

The flight is the first multi-sector demonstration green flight to be carried out under the Asia and Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE) programme, which aims to promote environmental stewardship in the region.