Aer Lingus 2011 Annual Report Download - page 32

Annual Report 2011
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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Aer Lingus Group Plc
Supporting Irish Based Charities
Each year Aer Lingus supports a large number of Irish based charities.
We assist charities raising money for initiatives in their local
communities and by assisting volunteers travelling to developing
countries and other parts of the world on aid missions.
Aer Lingus also makes donations in the form of flight tickets for raffle
or auction at fundraising events. Some of the organisations supported
by Aer Lingus in 2011 include Chernobyl Children International,
GOAL, A-Z Children’s Charity, BBC Children in Need and VSO
Ireland.
Supporting Businesses
We play an active role in business organisations focussed on further
developing the Irish economy such as tourism bodies, chambers of
commerce, employer organisations and International partnerships. The
Aer Lingus Viscount Awards, now in the fourth year, honour those
companies who have forged vital economic ties between Northern
Ireland and Great Britain, in particular in the South of England. Aer
Lingus is proud to provide the gateway via our Belfast to Heathrow route
for those businesses to connect with their markets across the water.
Aer Lingus also supported the ‘Gateway to Europe Expo’ initiative,
giving support in the form of flights for Irish businesses exhibiting in
Boston in an effort to encourage US business to locate and invest in
Ireland.
Supporting the Arts
Supporting the arts is an integral part of our cultural heritage and
ethos. Aer Lingus is proud to sponsor the Jameson Irish Film Festival
2012.
During 2011 Aer Lingus sponsored a Schools' Art Competition with
NI4kids magazine, inviting primary school classes across Northern
Ireland to design uniforms for male and female cabin crew.
Sports Sponsorship
The airline continued its support of community based sports initiatives
throughout 2011. Travel support was provided for the Irish Paralympics
team travelling to Lisbon in August for the World Summer Games.
Then in November, Aer Lingus was announced as the official airline
partner of Dublin GAA in a three year sponsorship agreement, building
on existing support for the Galway Hurling Supporters Club and other
local GAA initiatives. In Northern Ireland, Aer Lingus continued its
sponsorship of the Belfast Giants ice hockey team in 2011.
Employee Support
Aer Lingus encourages and facilitates employee involvement in
community and charitable initiatives. The company offers
support in the form of contributions to charity fundraisers undertaken
by employees.
Aer Lingus facilitates its employees in paying subscriptions and
volunteering with Air Concern. This Dublin Airport based initiative
provides financial assistance to families in need in the community
working with the Ballymun Money Advice Service. The airline also
facilitates charitable donations by its employees through payroll
deductions.
Environment
Aer Lingus acknowledges that its operations have an impact on the
environment. Balancing the protection of the environment with
people’s need to travel is essential for both ethical and business
reasons.
As part of the airline’s continuing cost reduction programme, the
primary programme goal in 2011 was the implementation of non-staff
savings across all areas. Significant cost reduction initiatives in 2011
include fuel management and conservation.
Fleet
Aer Lingus operates a very young and fuel efficient fleet. The average
age of the fleet was 6.18 years as at 31 December 2011.
Air Emissions
Aer Lingus operates a focused “fuel conservation plan” to minimise fuel
burned and the emission of greenhouse gases. This plan harnesses
available cost efficiencies and as emissions are directly proportional to
fuel burn, it also reduces emission levels and it has had a measurable
impact on fuel and emission efficiency. On an ongoing basis, engines
are monitored, maintained and overhauled to maximise fuel efficiency
and minimise emissions, and environmental upgrades are added on
overhaul where available. This engine conditioning monitoring aims to
give advance warning of impending deterioration of parts, allowing for
preventative maintenance which contributes to ensuring efficient
engines and therefore has both emission control and fuel burn benefits.
Aer Lingus also performs engine water washes on both engines types in
the fleet, which improves fuel burn and also results in lower emissions.
In addition, airframes are inspected and maintained to ensure minimum
drag. Aer Lingus’ continued commitment to maintaining a young fleet
also improves operational fuel efficiencies due to the use of newer
technology and this will continue in the future.
Ethical
The Aer Lingus Code of Business Conduct and Ethics aims to ensure
the highest ethical standards in conducting business activities with
customers and suppliers. The code supplements established
procedures, regulations and authority levels already in place. Staff
contracts contain an obligation to comply with Group policies. Under
the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics employees have a
responsibility to declare in writing any potential conflict of interest
which might affect their impartiality in carrying out their duties;
maintain confidentiality of information at all times; and ensure they do
not accepts gifts, entertainment or favours from customers or suppliers
which could compromise them. In addition, there is a specific
procurement policy, which governs the purchase of significant goods
and services.