First Latin American Airline To Offer Environmental Option

The business of "going green" is big business indeed... especially as more and more airlines realize they stand to make some "green" off environmentally-conscious passengers.

On Monday, Copa Airlines became the latest airline to launch a voluntary carbon offsetting program. The program is based on a "carbon calculator" available at the airline's Web site, where passengers can calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by their air travel, then make a voluntary contribution to offset the flight's carbon footprint.

The airline also announced it is implementing an Environmental Adaptation and Management Program that encompasses the measurement, reduction and offsetting of emissions, in addition to promoting cleaner production, consumption of renewable resources and a corporate culture of environmental responsibility.

"Our efforts to reduce environmental impact are equally as important as those of our passengers. We are very pleased to offer this dependable and respected option for offsetting the carbon footprint of air travel and to participate in this joint effort to benefit our planet," said Pedro Heilbron, CEO, Copa Airlines. "Counteracting the effects of climate change is an enormous challenge, which will be successful only if we undertake the task together."

The voluntary gas-emissions offset program was developed in association with Sustainable Travel International (STI), a nonprofit organization that will invest passengers' contributions to finance high-impact, sustainable-development programs such as alterative energy projects and reforestation.

FMI: www.copaair.com, www.sustainabletravelinternational.org