New 'planet-friendly' airbus to offer direct flights from Vancouver to Germany
The Condor A330neo landed in Vancouver Thursday, with the leadership team touting its distinctly designed plane as "one of the most sustainable aircraft in the skies."
The company says its new Rolls Royce engine and aerodynamic design have resulted in lower CO2 emission levels, citing it as the first aircraft in the world already certified for the regulatory reduction in CO2 emissions, required by 2028.
“So the aircraft, the neos we have, they meet these requirements already today,” said Mikko Turtiainen, director of sales, the Americas, Condor Airlines.
One aviation emissions expert says the company is on the right track, but the industry has plenty of work to do in order to reach emission goals.
"The fortunate part about the A330neo is its existing aviation technology, being optimized for sustainability," said JR Hammond, executive director with Canadian Advanced Air Mobility.
The industry, in line with a United Nations target, adopted the long-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
"We have immense challenges to hit that goal," added Hammond. "We are still en route with the technology progression coming from the electric, hydrogen, and new energy propulsion technologies but it’s not going to be easy.”
B.C.'s Harbour Air is making progress on electrifying its seaplane fleet, recently committing to the purchase of 50 electric-powered engines.
“Ultimately our big vision is to develop a sustainability aviation hub on the west coast,” said Jessica Dunn, head of marketing for Harbour Air.
The company aims to have at least one electric plane commercially certified by 2026.
Larger planes, however, remain a greater challenge. Hammond says a hybrid 30-passenger plane could be in the Canadian skies by 2030, but long-haul airliners, such as the Condor A330neo, will take significantly longer to achieve net-zero status.
“This aircraft and this technology will not get us to 2050 net zero," said Hammond. But some of these optimization pieces in the wings and in the fuel consumption is going to give us a better opportunity with new electric and hydrogen aircraft. So we treat this as some of the ingredients en route to the actual aircraft that’ll get us to net zero.”
The Condor A330neo will fly direct from Vancouver International to Frankfurt, Germany, five times a week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.