SriLankan Airlines introduces eco-friendly carpets

SriLankan Airlines is set to become one of the first South Asian airlines to introduce eco-friendly carpets on its aircraft after a successful trial.

Utilizing Swiss-sourced eco-friendly carpets SriLankan aims at reducing its carbon footprint through fuel efficiency improvements.

“SriLankan Airlines is introducing sustainable carpets on its aircraft, aiming to make the inflight experience more eco-friendly and meet contemporary traveler expectations. The airline is committed to embracing green solutions in its operations,” said Maria Sathasivam, Manager – Product Development of SriLankan Airlines.

The carpets are lightweight, regenerated nylon made from materials typically landfill-bound, including abandoned ocean fishing nets, aquaculture nylon waste, used carpet waste, used fabric waste, and mill fabric scraps following green technology that minimizes landfill waste and uses less crude oil, water, and energy compared to conventional virgin nylon.

SriLankan Airlines’ fleet will benefit from lightweight carpets, reducing flight weight and fuel consumption, resulting in annual savings of LKR 21 million and a reduced carbon footprint by approximately 248.79 tons.

SriLankan Airlines, the first in Asia to introduce ‘Planet Friendly Flights’ in 2009, has been recognized as the second-lowest carbon emitting airline in the Asia-Pacific.

Its signature upcycle project, ‘Mathaka’ won the Best Aviation Sustainability Program Award outperforming 118 other submissions, at the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (SMBR) Global Aviation Awards in December 2022.

SriLankan Airlines will become one of the first airlines in South Asia to introduce eco-friendly carpets onboard its aircraft after a successful trial.

The eco-friendly carpets, sourced from Lantal Textiles in Switzerland, are light-weight and assembled from regenerated nylon made of material typically headed for landfill such as ghost nets, aquaculture nylon waste, used carpet waste, used fabric waste and fabric scraps from mills.