ANA’s "Green Jet" Flies Japan’s Environment Minister To Frankfurt

On Friday, November 11th, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that the Minister of the Environment for Japan, Akihiro Nishimura, traveled on the airline’s iconic Green Jet to the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27). The conference is being held in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. The Minister traveled aboard the Green Jet on ANA flight NH203 from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). From FRA, the Minister will travel to Egypt.

Sustainable flight

ANA has shared its excitement over the event as the Green Jet is the airline’s symbol for sustainable aviation. The aircraft is designed to promote decarbonization efforts. From its exterior livery to interior products, ANA has taken the necessary measures to ensure the aircraft produces the smallest amount of carbon emissions possible. To the airline, it is a symbol of its sustainability efforts and the industry-wide goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

Photo: ANA

The CEO and President of ANA, Shinichi Inoue, thanked the Minister for choosing to fly on the airlines Green Jet. Inoue stated,

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Nishimura, Minister of the Environment, for flying with us on board the ANA Green Jet. While climate change is a critical issue that needs to be swiftly addressed, the role of air transportation in connecting people and goods with the rest of the world for international exchange and economic growth will continue to remain very important through the future.

“ANA is committed to serving the global community, and we will continue to work with various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to promote the use of SAF as well as other initiatives, and to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality in Japan and addressing environmental issues in the international community through our business.”

The Green Jet

ANA’s flagship Green Jet is a Boeing 787 registered JA71A. The aircraft began service as the Green Jet over a month ago in early October. The widebody sports a unique livery that features ANA’s Future Promise Initiative, promoting a sustainable future. The airplane’s exterior also features a unique sharkskin technology developed by Nikon Corporation.

The sharkskin technology is a material made up of small riblets. As air flows over this material, the aircraft’s skin passes through the air as a shark’s skin passes through water. This significantly decreases the parasite drag on the airplane, allowing it to burn less fuel per flight, thereby driving down carbon emissions.

The aircraft’s interior also features sustainable technology. The Green Jet’s seats feature headrest covers developed by Toray Industries, which are made from recycled apple byproducts from local orchards. The unique material choice is a testament to the airlines’ commitment to decarbonization and the promotion of sustainable aviation. The airline is also making efforts to reduce the amount of single-use plastics aboard its passenger flights. On the cargo side of the company, all recyclable plastics are gathered after every flight to be recycled and turned into products that are then used on passenger flights.

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