Korean Air Cuts 420,000 Tons of Carbon in 2025... Emissions Fall Even as Flights Increase

Total Emissions of 12,184,169 Tons in 2025... Down 3.3% from Previous Year
Emissions Reduced Despite 2.6% Increase in Flights Thanks to High-Efficiency Aircraft and AI

As the aviation industry's efforts to reduce carbon emissions accelerate, Korean Air achieved tangible cuts in its actual carbon emissions last year despite an expansion in its flight operations. This is attributed to a data-based, precise fuel management system and efficiency strategies in each business area that translated into real reductions in emissions.

Korean Air Boeing 787-10. Korean Air

Korean Air announced on the 27th that its total carbon emissions from aircraft operations over the course of 2025 amounted to 12,184,169 tons. This represents a decrease of 420,055 tons (3.3%) compared with the previous year's 12,604,224 tons.

In particular, the achievement is notable given that the number of domestic and international flights last year increased by about 2.6% compared with 2024. Korean Air explained that expanding the share of high-efficiency new aircraft such as the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 and the Airbus A350 to 41.6% of total flights was the key factor in reducing emissions.

Organic collaboration between the operations control and maintenance divisions also supported these results. The airline shortened actual flight distances by securing the shortest flight routes in cooperation with air traffic control authorities and minimized fuel consumption by applying optimal cost-efficient cruising speeds to flight plans. On the ground, it improved fuel efficiency by minimizing the use of auxiliary power units (APUs) and conducting regular engine washing.

The use of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is also noteworthy. Korean Air has digitized data that had previously been managed manually and introduced a technology that uses AI to accurately predict the weight of passenger baggage. This technology was selected as an outstanding AI use case in SkyTeam's "2025 Sustainable Flight Challenge."

A Korean Air official said, "We maximized operational efficiency through data-based, precise fuel management and company-wide collaboration," adding, "This year as well, we will continue to pursue carbon reduction initiatives to help create a sustainable flight environment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.