ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Sunday, 12 October 2008 | 10:55 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

Print this page Print this page | Email this to a friend Email this to a friend | Discuss this article (4 Comments) |

A380 will be first paperless plane

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  on Sunday, 20 July 2008
PAPERLESS PLANE: The new A380's new cost-cutting idea. (Getty Images)

Emirates will make its new A380 superjumbos paperless planes as the rising cost of aviation fuel forces airlines around the world to cut back on costs.

The carrier will remove all seat-pocket paper including in-flight magazines, entertainment guides and shopping catalogues, when the giant aircraft go into service in 12 days, the UK's Sunday Times reported.

Emirates has also started a project with Airbus to reduce the weight of the aircraft by five tonnes by 2012.

Story continues below
advertisement

The removal of paper from the plane will lighten the aircraft by a tonne, the newspaper said, citing Emirates president Tim Clark.

The printed matter will be replaced by digital content displayed on the seat-back television screens.

Print Print | Email Email | Discuss this article |



USER COMMENTS (4 COMMENTS)

Emirates to Reduce weight
Posted by Salim, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates on Sunday 20 July 2008 at 16:51 UAE time

I'm worried if the fuel crisis continues it will go like this.
Check-in:
Economy: Baggage weight allowed = 20kg
Business: Baggage weight allowed = 30kg
First class: Baggage weight allowed = 40kg

Economy: Your weight allowed = 50kg*
Business: Your weight allowed = 60kg*
First class: Your weight allowed = 70kg*

*= for every 10kg you will pay 500AED extra tax

I won't be shocked if this happens. I think they should already think of alternative fuels.
Laudable Effort
Posted by Megha, Dubai, UAE on Sunday 20 July 2008 at 16:42 UAE time


I think it's great that EK are starting somewhere; I do agree with Hugh's comment as well.

In this case, eliminating paper based products from the aircraft goes a long way in cutting back on the carbon footprint (at least when it comes to their operations on the ground!)

Wonder if they'll ever take that step for the rest of fleet...
No paper on board AB 380......
Posted by skyobserver, London, UK on Sunday 20 July 2008 at 12:57 UAE time

Just hope I don't feel ill on board an Emirates AB 380 if there are no sick bags in the seats!!

Seriously there are other items that they can also review, like the suggested bars and boutiques on the aircraft ....these things never survive beyond the marketing teams dreams.
Gulf Air in the 70s, on their 5 star Tri-Star aircraft used to have a bar (Gold Leather) and conference tables in a cabin rear of first class, which was fabulous if you wanted to stand from Bahrain to London !! However that soon became a victim to economic reality and was phased out after a few years. I suspect the same will happen with some of the EK grand ideas.

Watch out for an increased seating density on the aircraft to get more pax on board & possible decrease in frequency on certain routes.

At this point I don't see the airline placing pressure on the oil companies to replace the toxic additives (TCP's) in their engine oils that adversely affect crew and pax on board.
Emirates A380
Posted by Hugh Jampton, London, U.K. on Sunday 20 July 2008 at 11:13 UAE time


If weight is a problem, then they should have chosen Rolls Royce engines. Reportedly a set for this plane weighs six tons less that the P&W version.

CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT

Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Security Code * Code


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

RELATED STORIES

Emirates Airlines
| 18 stories
  1. The A380 - Pay up or shut up
  2. The A380 - bigger, but not better
  3. Time to tax the fat

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Emirates Airlines

  2. Travel & Hospitality



BUSINESS FEATURES

Coming of age: Bahrain

The Gulf's smallest country has been quietly coming out of its sleep and it could be about to surprise the world.

Travel by the book

Arabian Business takes a tour through the heart of Scotland's capital, in search of literary greats.

Green trend divides agents

How many travel agents factor in global environmental issues when dealing with clients?

ArabianBusiness.com/Jobs - Middle East Jobs Search
  1. Senior Development Manager – Shopping Malls
    Industry: Hospitality
    Location: Middle East
  2. Design Manager - Hotel
    Industry: Hospitality
    Location: Dubai, UAE
Browse all jobs »

BUSINESS INTERVIEWS

Seven Tides to hit Dubai Palms

Seven Tides' CEO Malcolm Ross outlines the company's portfolio and the power of brand association.

The man with a grand plan

Six Senses Resorts and Spas MD Bernhard Bohnenberger reveals the firm's expansion plans.

Cultivating home-grown hotels

Habtoor Hotels chief executive officer Rahim Abu Omar discusses the secret behind the group's success.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM