Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has introduced new lightweight trolleys onboard, aiming to save fuel as well as reduce carbon emissions.

Used for carrying, storing and serving food and beverages onboard, the new trolleys are manufactured according to the latest technology by using composite material that are sturdy, lightweight and have longer durability.

The trolleys are lighter by an average of 6  to 10 kg each in weight than the current ones being used on board, resulting in an estimated savings of BD350, 000 ($928,000) per year in fuel consumption, once the entire fleet is equipped with new ones, and an estimated CO2 emission reduction of 3000 tons per year.

“Fuel consumption is directly proportional to the weight carried onboard and therefore, the lighter the weight, less is the consumption of fuel,” said Gulf Air CEO Samer Majali.

“With fuel cost alone taking up an approx. 41 per cent of the operational expenses, it is imperative that we implement every measure that could reduce fuel expenditure. The introduction of light weight trolleys is a practical and useful initiative that will bring substantial fuel savings to the company.”

Majali added, “Gulf Air has been proactively engaged in several corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in recent years across the entire CSR spectrum - from carbon emission control, fuel savings and efficiency, waste management, to supporting local communities that has won the ‘best airline award for promoting corporate social responsibility’ in the aviation industry in November last year.”

“The introduction of lightweight trolleys is one of our several measures in this respect as we continue to actively push our environmental initiatives,” Majali concluded.

The trolleys come with more user-friendly and practical features such as ergonomic design for easy movement through the cabin, barcodes for easy track-and-control of the inventory all over the world and, side panels for display of art or advertising to complement the aircraft interiors.

The new trolleys are currently used on selected routes and will be gradually extended across the entire Gulf Air fleet and network. – TradeArabia News Service