Fuel-efficient future: Air Transat unveils AI-powered eco-piloting solution
June 26, 2025
Canadian carrier Air Transat deploys AI and machine learning platform to boost fuel efficiency and cut emissions.
Montreal-headquartered Air Transat has partnered with digital cleantech specialist OpenAirlines to deploy an eco-piloting tool SkyBreathe 360°. The tool will boost the Canadian leisure carrier’s efforts to reduce fuel costs by up to 5%, as well as CO2 emissions.
The solution uses AI and machine-learning to provide personalised recommendations designed to help airlines make informed decisions about fuel consumption.
It is already being used by over 70 airlines worldwide, including Jazeera Airways, Atlas Air, DHL, Norwegian, Air France, IndiGo and Korean Air.
Reductions in fuel and CO2 emissions
With SkyBreathe’s database analysing over 21 million flights, Air Transat now has the opportunity to reduce its fuel consumption and achieve a sustainable reduction in CO2 emissions.
In 2024 the SkyBreathe community collectively saved 555 million kg of fuel as well as 1,750,000 tonnes of CO2 and a $614 millon in costs.
“We are convinced the transition to this new platform will enable more informed decision-making, as well as greater flexibility and analytical capabilities,” said Dave Bourdages, vice president of flight operations at Air Transat.
He added that the new tool, which address all the airline’s fuel-saving needs from all stakeholders including pilots, flight dispatchers, engineers, operations managers and fuel management teams, is integral to Air Transat’s decarbonisation strategy.
“It represents a key pillar of our energy efficiency roadmap,” he noted.
The agreement with OpenAirlines also includes the support of a dedicated fuel efficiency expert, to facilitate the rapid integration of the tool and help Air Transat progress towards its fuel-saving targets and improved environmental performance.
Open Airlines’ CEO, Alexandre Feray said he was confident that his platform will help the Canadian carrier “achieve significant fuel and CO2 savings”. He also said that alongside the technology, “the SkyBreathe community will provide [Air Transat] with the resources necessary to make major advances in their fuel management programme.”
Air Transat, which was recently voted the Best Leisure Airline in the World at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, serves destinations in Europe, the US, the Caribbean, South America and North Africa. Its all-Airbus fleet of around 40 aircraft features the A320-200, A321(ceo), A321 LR, A330-200 and A330-300.
Air Transat’s fleet renewal
In line with its strategy for a more fuel efficient fleet, Air Transat retired the last aircraft from its old Airbus A310 fleet in 2020. As part of a leasing deal with AerCap agreed in 2018, these older aircraft types have been replaced by the energy efficient A321 LR type, which provides a 15% reduction in fuel consumption, 50% less nitrogen oxides and 50% reduction in noise.
According to OpenAirlines, an airline operating a fleet of 15 Airbus A320 series aircraft can start saving from 1,890,000 kg of fuel per year using the SkyBreathe platform. That’s the equivalent of 5,972,400 kg of CO2 saved per year.
The airline is also actively involved with the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C-SAF) to accelerate the commercial production and supply of SAF in Canada. Elsewhere in its operations, the airline has also implemented rigorous waste reduction initiatives, with a focus on reducing food waste and eliminating single-use plastics such as plastic straws, utensils and cups on its flights.
Network expansion
Earlier this week Air Transat announced it will launch non-stop flights between Toronto and Istanbul starting December 6. The service, which will operate twice weekly, is expected to build travel and trade links between Canada and Türkiye and will make a significant contribution to Türkiye’s tourism sector, especially to Istanbul.
