GOL and TAP Air Portugal have become the first airlines to adopt the International Air Transport Association’s FuelIS, an advanced analytics tool designed to help airlines optimise fuel consumption and improve environmental performance.
According to the statement from IATA, FuelIS supports airlines in identifying operational inefficiencies and making data-driven decisions that reduce both fuel costs and carbon emissions.
The association’s net-zero carbon emissions roadmap indicates that technological and operational efficiencies will account for roughly 10 per cent of the emissions reduction needed by 2050.
According to IATA Senior Vice President of Operations, Safety, and Security, Nick Careen, “Fuel management is key for airlines; depending on the prevailing price of jet fuel, it generally accounts for 25-30 per cent of the cost base.
On top of that, as airlines decarbonise, tracking and managing carbon costs, which are directly related to fuel consumption, will be a growing priority. Understanding how an airline is performing compared with industry peers using FuelIS can pinpoint potential efficiencies that reduce costs and improve environmental performance.
“The great support from 220 airlines contributing operational data on fuel consumption, combined with continuously improving analytical capabilities, makes FuelIS a very compelling tool.”
TAP Air Portugal, one of the early adopters, emphasised the strategic value of the tool in managing fuel costs and supporting sustainability goals.
TAP Air Portugal CEO, Luís Rodrigues. Also said that “Fuel is a major cost driver for TAP Air Portugal. Managing consumption is an important priority for its cost implications and its contribution to decarbonisation. Every kilogramme of fuel saved counts. The insights FuelIS provides help us measure the impact of our fleet modernisation and our long-term transition to SAF. It also supports a fuel strategy that is more responsive to market and operational changes.”
GOL Airlines echoed similar sentiments, citing the importance of data-driven fuel management for cost savings and operational excellence.
The GOL COO, Albert Pérez, also added that “Fuel is a significant cost factor for all companies, and managing how we use it is always important and can be a significant competitive advantage. With FuelIS, we are equipped with data that helps us make better fuel decisions while benchmarking our progress against the industry. Joining FuelIS is yet another important step in our commitment to continuously improve our operations, ensuring high-level performance and focusing on cost reduction.”
