Porter Airlines is a regional airline based at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, in Toronto, Canada.
Porter regularly operates flights between Canada and the USA using Canadian-built Bombardier (now Viking Air) Dash-8 Q400 turboprop aircraft.
Martin Kordos, Senior Financial Analyst FP&A at Porter Airlines, shares his experience using SkyBreathe® to support fuel efficiency efforts.
What were Porter Airlines' goals and main issues when choosing SkyBreathe®?
Porter Airlines was looking for an easy-to-use interface to analyze fuel consumption and fuel savings initiatives. SkyBreathe® allows us to share important fuel data with key stakeholders in a quick and efficient manner. Porter was North America’s first passenger airline to use this technology.
What are the benefits that the solution brings Porter Airlines so far?
SkyBreathe® analyzes aircraft data, such as weather conditions, payload, and flight path. It tracks performance indicators that Porter uses to monitor the impact of our fuel efficiency programs, such as single-engine taxi. The software then provides best practices to reduce fuel burn. Safety is considered first and foremost before any initiatives are considered for implementation.
Porter is now able to track our level of application of best practices and where we require more focus. Fuel is a main operating expense. Therefore, it is crucial to control this cost.
What features do you particularly enjoy?
The map overlay allows the user to select multiple routes or one specific route and compare the Operational Flight Plan (OFP) with the actual flight. Interesting insights can be gathered from any diversions from the OFP.
What advice would you give to airlines which want to set up a fuel efficiency program?
Pilot engagement is essential. Clearly communicate which elements of the data are shared and what is confidential. Understanding any pushback can help reduce barriers.
The tool is used by pilots to track their individual performance so they can be proactive in their operating techniques. The platform is non-punitive and used primarily to optimize fuel consumption and reduce emissions.
How flexible is SkyBreathe®?
Porter had specific Best Practices in the way they operate the Q400 (Engine Bleeds and Cost Index). But since the software is very flexible, Porter was easily able to build the logic for engine bleeds, which was not natively supported by SkyBreathe®.
Now, pilots have feedback on how they performed on these best practices (in addition to all the other ones) in their post-flight debrief.
If you had to define SkyBreathe® in three words?
- Simple
- Trend analysis
- Drives efficiencies
Many thanks to Martin Kordos and Porter for sharing their experience.
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