OpenAirlines is a France-based digital technology company providing eco-flying software SkyBreathe to reduce airlines’ fuel costs and CO2 emissions for over 66 airline customers globally, including EasyJet, Atlas Air, and Air France
You have been ahead of the curve, having lectured on sustainable aviation for the past 15 years. Was there a moment in time when sustainability became a true priority for the industry?
When we decided to work on aviation and the environment in 2009, it was nowhere in the landscape. I was working at Air France at a time when most people were unaware of how much fuel an aircraft burns, the CO2 effects, or even that global warming existed. However, a shift occurred around 2018, spurred partly by climate movements in European countries like Sweden, and the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated environmental consciousness. From a personal perspective, my journey started much earlier, in the ‘90s, when I witnessed firsthand the effects of global warming on glaciers while mountaineering in Chamonix. This early exposure has deeply influenced my career and advocacy for environmental awareness.
Manufacturers across the board are being more vocal about their commitments to sustainability, but demand is projected to increase to record levels. Realistically, is there enough appetite for greener aviation practices?
I believe the industry is serious about its net zero goals, however, the challenges are formidable. Different from the automotive sector where electric solutions are advancing, aviation heavily relies on jet fuel and lacks feasible alternatives for many routes, such as transoceanic flights where you cannot take a train or boat.
The cost of SAF is currently three times more expensive, and the infrastructure still needs to be developed, yet I'm optimistic. Similar to how the cost of solar panels dramatically decreased over a decade due to scaling, I expect SAF to follow a similar trajectory as demand increases and production scales up.
In 2006, you founded Open Airlines with a promise to reduce fuel consumption by 5% without modifying the aircraft itself. Can you explain the technology behind this initiative?
The beauty of SkyBreathe is that it's purely digital so it doesn't require changes in the aircraft and uses data already available from existing aircraft. We utilize flight data recorders, which capture a wide array of operational data, traditionally used for safety investigations using AI and machine learning. Pilots are equipped with a mobile app called MyFuelCoach and after every flight are debriefed on their performance. By analyzing everything from flight paths to operational practices and weather conditions, we identify efficiencies that can be achieved without physical modifications to the aircraft. This allows us to impact fuel savings on both new and older generation aircraft universally. Achieving fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction is really a team game; from pilots to ground staff, everyone plays a critical role. For instance, ground operations can choose more sustainable methods for aircraft cooling, like using ground power instead of the aircraft's auxiliary power unit, which saves fuel. We provide tailored feedback and recommendations through our software, helping each team member understand and implement best practices that contribute to overall efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of your platform SkyBreathe. What new markets are you aiming to expand to next?
Thank you, it’s a significant milestone, and looking back over the decade, it’s clear we’ve accomplished a great deal since then. We have expanded to 66 airlines globally across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Asia. This ranges from regional airlines like Air Tahiti, large low-cost carriers like easyJet, major carriers like Air France, and the largest airline in India, IndiGo. This proves that the problem is universal and our solution matches any given market.
Europe has felt the environmental regulation constraints earlier than the rest of the world, and the Middle East has always been very technology-orientated and fast to adopt these kinds of solutions. Asia, Africa, and North and South America are a little behind but are now ripe for our solutions so we will mostly be targeting Asia and America.
You’ve expressed a goal of becoming the first cleantech company in France and among the top 10 cleantech companies in the world. What exactly does this mean for you?
There's a broad acknowledgement that failing to address environmental issues could lead to decreased public patronage and increased regulatory pressure, which in turn could impact airlines’ capacity to invest in necessary technologies. CO2 preservation is our biggest focus. We are comparing ourselves to companies like the French car-sharing company BlaBlaCar and Tesla. Achieving this would not only place us at the forefront of clean technology in France but also globally. Last year, thanks to SkyBreathe, airlines saved more than 420 million kg of fuel which represents a reduction of over 1.4 million tons of CO2 and a financial benefit superior to USD $490 million.
