Engine maker Safran (Chalet C6) has teamed up with French start-up Safety Line in an effort to help airlines reduce fuel consumption. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with the intent of integrating Safety Line’s OptiClimb solution into Safran’s SFCO2 service offering, which addresses airlines need to cut both fuel consumption and emissions by analyzing operational and maintenance aspects of performance. According to the companies, through the use of the program carriers can reduce their consumption by up to eight percent, which for a fleet of 20 single-aisle jets flying an average of 3,500 hours a year would equate to savings of $6 million and 42 metric tons of CO2 not released into the atmosphere.
Working with the French research institute INRIA, Safety Line’s OptiClimb focuses on the climb phase of each flight, as data from flight recorders are analyzed to define each aircraft’s aerodynamic characteristics precisely to determine the ideal climb profile. Transavia France recently employed the solution after a successful four-month trial, while Ethiopian Airlines currently opted for Safran’s SFCO2 service.
“Our new joint offering, leveraging the respective areas of expertise of Safran and Safety Line, addresses the need for today’s airlines to reduce fuel consumption, not only to lower their own costs, but also to help protect the environment and allow the sustainable growth of air traffic,” said François Planaud, head of Safran Aircraft Engines services and MRO division. “Safran is very proud to be teaming up with a dynamic French start up, and to show that a major international corporation knows how to maintain its agility by working with an ecosystem of innovative partners such as Safety Line.”