AirAsia Philippines Promotes Clean Environment With New Ground Equipment

 AirAsia Philippines aircraft receive power and cooling from the new Combo Units at the NAIA Terminal 3, significantly reducing carbon emissions by up to 90 percent.

AirAsia Philippines Promotes Clean Environment With New Ground Equipment

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | October 20, 2025

MANILA – AirAsia Philippines is dramatically reducing its environmental footprint at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) with the deployment of cutting-edge Combo Units, a combined air conditioning and ground power system designed to slash carbon emissions by up to 90 percent.

The move underscores the airline’s unwavering commitment to decarbonizing aviation, aligned with AirAsia Aviation Group’s regional clean environment sustainability initiatives.

AirAsia Philippines is the second airline within the group to embrace the innovative technology, following a successful implementation in Malaysia.

The Combo Units provide parked aircraft with essential electrical power and cooling, eliminating the need to run the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit.

This translates to a substantial reduction in fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and noise pollution on the airport ramp.

“Our commitment to reducing emissions goes hand in hand with enhancing the travel experience for our guests,” said Capt. Suresh Bangah, AirAsia Philippines CEO.

“These Combo Units not only significantly lower our carbon footprint but also ensure a comfortable environment for passengers as they board and disembark.”

The deployment of just two Combo Units is projected to eliminate approximately 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, complementing AirAsia Philippines’ broader fuel efficiency program, which saved 3,851 tons of fuel and prevented 12,169 tons of CO₂ emissions in 2024.

These combined efforts have resulted in a notable improvement in the airline’s carbon intensity, with CO₂ emissions per available seat kilometer (CO₂/ASK) dropping to 73.9g and CO₂ emissions per revenue passenger kilometer (CO₂/RPK) falling to 82.8g.

Beyond Ground Operations:

• A Holistic Approach to Sustainability AirAsia Philippines is extending its sustainability efforts beyond ground operations, embracing a circular economy approach to in-flight services:

Waste Diversion:

• Actively segregating and processing in-flight waste to minimize landfill impact, achieving a 37% waste diversion rate last year.

Green Packaging:

• Partnering with Santan Philippines to transition to polylactic acid packaging by October 2026, a compostable alternative derived from renewable resources.

Global Recognition for Sustainability Leadership

AirAsia’s dedication to environmental responsibility has garnered significant recognition:

AirlineRatings.com Sustainability Award:

• Ranked among the top three low-cost carriers for sustainability.

42kft.com Environmental Audit:

• Recognized as one of the top 25 airlines globally for environmental performance, achieving a perfect score in the data-driven sustainability audit.

These accolades highlight AirAsia Philippines’ commitment to integrating sustainability across all aspects of its operations, driving its growth towards a Net Zero target by 2050.