Lufthansa Airlines and Lufthansa CityLine Reaffirm Environmental Commitment with EMAS Certification
Lufthansa Airlines and Lufthansa CityLine have once again received the EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) validation, confirming their adherence to the stringent European environmental standards ISO 14001 at their Frankfurt and Munich hubs. This achievement underscores the airlines' dedication to systematic and sustainable environmental management.
The recent EMAS validation highlights the continuous improvement and implementation of Lufthansa's environmental management system. Independent audits and inspections provided a comprehensive overview of processes and revealed the depth of employees' commitment to environmental values.
According to Jens Ritter, CEO of Lufthansa Airlines, the collective validation aims to drive forward sustainability efforts across various business sectors, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of flying and optimizing resource efficiency.
Lufthansa Airlines initially adopted the EMAS environmental concept in 2000 with Lufthansa CityLine. By 2018, Lufthansa Airlines introduced a certified environmental management system at its Munich site and later merged it with Lufthansa CityLine in 2022. The Frankfurt site joined in December 2023, culminating in the joint audit and validation for both Frankfurt and Munich in 2024.
Approximately 40 environmental coordinators across Lufthansa Airlines and Lufthansa CityLine ensure the consistent advancement of technical environmental concerns. One of the significant measures implemented is the "Reduced Engine Taxi-In" procedure, which saves up to 2,750 tons of kerosene annually by shutting down engines after landing.
Lufthansa Airlines is also focusing on future advancements. A collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Airbus, MTU Aero Engines, and Munich Airport aims to accelerate the development and implementation of power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels, with the goal of industrial scaling in Germany.
As part of the Lufthansa Group, Lufthansa Airlines is working towards ambitious sustainability targets, including achieving a neutral carbon footprint by 2050 and halving CO₂ emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. These efforts include fleet modernization, optimizing flight operations, and developing sustainable aviation fuels.
