AirAsia aims to reduce carbon emissions

SEPANG (Oct 22): AirAsia became the first airline in Malaysia to adopt Combo Units, an advanced airport ground equipment that is more fuel efficient, at its main hub at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on Tuesday.

The Combo Units are used when aircraft are parked in the terminal before a flight and during transit. Typically, an auxiliary power unit (APU), which is powered by aviation turbine fuel, is used to keep the lights and air conditioning on in the parked aircraft.

The Combo Units, which have dual functions as a Ground Power Unit and an Air Condition Unit, replace the APU, and is able to reduce associated carbon dioxide emissions by 90% at optimal usage, according to AirAsia. It also leads to less air and noise pollution.

“Malaysia is fully committed to achieving sustainable growth in aviation, and this commitment is embodied in the Malaysia Aviation Decarbonisation Blueprint (MADB). This comprehensive strategy provides a clear pathway for the sector to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, ensuring that Malaysia’s aviation sector can continue to grow sustainably while reducing its environmental impact,” said Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who attended the launch.