British Airways accused of practice known as “fuel tankering.”
British Airways is accused of emitting 18,000 tonnes of additional carbon dioxide each year by implementing a practice designed to save money.
Fuel tanking is when an aircraft is filled with extra fuel, usually to avoid paying higher prices for refuelling at destination airports.
According to experts, the extra weight alone can produce annual emissions equivalent to those of a large town.
A British documentary exposed the airline’s practice, revealing that BA can save as little as £10 per flight by fuel tanking.
One recent British Airways flight to Italy carried an extra three tonnes of fuel, saving the carrier a measly £40.
As a result, that flight emitted more than 600kg of additional carbon dioxide.
A BA spokesperson told The Independent: “It’s common practice across the airline industry to carry additional fuel on some flights due to operational, safety and price reasons.
“For British Airways this applies to mainly short-haul destinations where there are considerable fuel price differences between European airports.”
IAG, BA’s parent company, has previously stated that it aims to become the world’s leading airline group on sustainability.
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