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Operations Cost Reduction

One of IATA's major focuses for 2009 is based on cost reduction. The goal is to save an estimated US $1 billion in aircraft operations, specifically in the areas of maintenance, inventory management, procurement and fleet utilisation.

Fatigue Risk Management

Another important initiative is Fatigue Risk Management for airline maintenance and flight crews. Several regulators are currently studying the implementation of fatigue risk management schemes as part of Safety Management Systems (SMS). IATA is working with ICAO on regulatory guidance material to describe the most practicle approach and to mitigate the resulting cost burden. 

Green Teams

There are three major initiatives for 2009 including:

• IATA Fuel Book 4th edition: the revised fuel book will include additional information on industry best practices and methodology on identifying and measuring potential savings.
• Remote Support: the IATA Green Team website will provide airlines an opportunity to ask, share and get responses remotely on their specific fuel questions.
• Benchmark Report: Allow airlines to compare their present strategies with the industry best practice, and be able to identify areas for improvement.

FAME in Jet Fuel

Diesel fuel containing Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME), also known as bio-diesel was introduced in May 2008.
The FAME bio-component of the diesel and bio-diesel mixture is a highly surface active material and has the potential to stick to metal surfaces and desorbs off into jet fuel, when jet fuel follows a batch of bio-diesel when transported in pipelines. This process is referred to as FAME carryover.
 
Ships containing jet fuel from Europe are imported around the world and aviation is facing a new challenge with risks of contamination, causing supply disruptions. Moreover, jet fuel, containing 5 mg/kg (5 ppm) FAME or more, does not comply with approved aviation fuel specifications and should not be used, unless specifically allowed by airframe/engine manufacturers in their Airworthiness Instructions.
 
Currently, many efforts are being taken to avoid the ingress of FAME into jet fuel. Following the discussion and agreement at the IATA Fuel Forum in November 2008, IATA requested the Original Equipment Manufacturers to advise the airlines what to do in an event of a FAME contamination, specifically:

• What to do with the aircraft en route, fuelled with that contaminated fuel and what to do with that aircraft when it lands?
• What to do with an aircraft fuelled and ready for departure?
• What to do with aircraft, waiting to be fuelled?
• What types of inspections are required after consuming fuel with a content higher then 5 ppm FAME? 

IATA maintains a direct involvement and coordinating role and works closely with the airlines, fuel suppliers and aircraft manufacturers to answer the questions above.