flypop's sustainability policy an interview with Dr Neil Prem

•  press release / interview / aviation
•  22nd April 2022
•  Natalie Morris

People - Planet - Purpose 

flypop’s sustainability and environmental programme  

An interview with Neil Prem, Head of Sustainability at flypop 

Becoming a sustainable business is an evolving and continuous journey as new research and science inform us of new ways businesses and individuals can change behaviour to protect our planet for the long-term future of our children.  

To celebrate World Earth Day Neil Prem, flypop’s Head of Sustainability, shares the vision for flypop’s sustainability & environmental programme and what we are doing to make this a reality. 

Reducing the carbon footprint of flying 

How will flypop be a carbon neutral airline?  

The flypop team are building a carbon neutral airline. We are implementing a sustainability programme across all areas of our business both on the ground and in the air, and we are engaging with partners that also have the environment at the heart of their business operations as well.   

We are putting in place a sustainability policy that will enable us to achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2050. This will encompass people, planet and purpose. 

flypop’s programme aligns with Europe’s aviation sector’s ‘Destination 2050’ plan to collectively lead the way in reducing aviation CO2 emissions, making flying more sustainable for the long term. 

Sustainable Flying 

How green is flypop? 

The flypop team are committed to doing whatever we can to make a difference to our environment. All flypop’s flights are direct which means passengers will be reducing their carbon emissions by choosing to fly on our non-stop routes. Higher passenger density will result in lower carbon emissions per passenger.   

Team Project  

How involved is the flypop team with the airlines green policies? 

The entire flypop team are involved in our sustainability policies.  

I myself, have over 20 years’ experience assisting companies and startups build their environmental and corporate responsibility programmes. I am so pleased to join the flypop team to develop its sustainability policies. 

We are implementing a 360-sustainability programme which will cover all areas of our business including our offices, ground operations, aircraft, partners and staff. Our founders even drive electric cars! 

How much does flypop’s sustainability programme extend across all its stakeholders?

We are choosing to work with partners that align with our sustainability programme 

Our people and our partners are aligned with our sustainable goals. We have chosen to partner with suppliers and partners who also have corporate environmental polices in place. We actively seek partnerships with organisations, public and private corporations, foundations and individuals that share flypop’s sustainability goals.  

Reducing the use of single use plastic on aircraft.  

How is flypop implementing new measures and processes that completely remove the use of plastic onboard? 

At flypop we are eliminating single use plastics on all our flights.  

Planting trees for every passenger.

How will flypop offset carbon emissions with tree planting?  

We will be planting trees every time a passenger flies. Some of these trees will be for reforestation projects in the UK and India. We will also be planting mangrove trees that absorb between 200% - 400% more carbon than tropical trees and protect coastlines from erosion and extreme weather events, improve water quality by filtering pollutants, and serve as nurseries for many marine creatures. 

In India we will plant fruit trees to fight hunger and provide jobs for the local communities. 

Social Responsibility to the communities we serve. 

How will flypop be supporting the UK-India communities it serves? 

flypop will be donating five meals in the UK and India for every meal purchased onboard our flights. We are focused on providing nutritious meals for children that are nourishing and healthy. Our goal is to improve the nutritional, health, and educational needs of children while promoting long-term sustainable change to children, their caregivers and communities. 

Aviation fuel for the future. 

What reductions and improvements will flypop implement to achieve a greener flying future? 

We are committed to using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as soon as we can. Using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel. 

Collaborating with the aviation industry for greener air travel. 

The flypop team are committed to making a difference to our environment. Among other things, we are working with our partner Hi Fly on making our planes greener with new wingtip technology which helps reduce drag, helping to increase fuel efficiency.