Virgin Atlantic Cargo is to start using lightweight air cargo nets with Dyneema, as part of its ongoing contribution towards the airline’s target of reducing aircraft CO2 emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.

The airline has initially ordered 600 of the nets, which at nine kg each represent a four kg saving on the weight of a traditional cargo net used to secure shipments on pallets. Th e nets are also designed to be highly durable and have a five-year operating life compared to an average 2-3 years for conventional nets.

Paul Fallon, VP – cargo operations & business development at Virgin Atlantic, said: “Th e airline has a very proactive sustainability programme with clear goals and we are continually looking to meet our contribution to these targets.

Last year we took delivery of our first lightweight cargo containers and using lightweight nets is another opportunity for us to reduce emissions.

“We expect to have some 1,800 of these nets in use by the end of 2015. We are also looking at the latest lightweight pallets that have come onto the market and expect to trial these to measure the benefits they can off er too.”

Virgin Atlantic Cargo has already invested in more than 1,100 lightweight LD3 containers as part of a programme to phase out 3,200 heavier air cargo units.

Th e new containers are 16 kg lighter than the old LD3s they have replaced.

Every extra gram of weight onboard an aircraft means more fuel use and more emissions. Replacing old, heavier cargo bins and pallets with lighter ones will save around 2,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions, the carrier said.