MIRAMAR, Fla., Nov. 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) is known for having the lowest fares in the industry. Now the ultra-low cost carrier is also known for being one of the most environmentally friendly airlines in the sky. According to a new report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), Spirit Airlines received the highest score for fuel efficiency among U.S. based carriers, eleven percent higher than the industry average.
"The ICCT study is further proof that we're doing things right," said Spirit's President and CEO, Ben Baldanza. "We're doing right by our customers by offering the lowest fares, and we're doing right by the environment at the same time."
According to the report, which measures fuel efficiency, and therefore carbon intensity of U.S. airlines in 2013, most airlines are trending in the wrong direction when it comes to being environmentally friendly. Citing decreasing load factors and fewer deliveries of newer and more fuel efficient aircraft to the airlines, the ICCT sees little improvement in the airlines industry as a whole.
However, Spirit is bucking this trend with some of the highest load factors in the industry and their "Fit Fleet™" which is the youngest and most fuel efficient planes in the sky. The fleet is only getting younger and more fuel efficient as the airline will take delivery of 17 new planes in the next year – including the first Airbus A320 NEO aircraft to be used in the United States. According to Airbus, the NEO aircraft are up to 20% more fuel efficient than even the most fuel efficient aircraft today. Spirit Airlines has scored at the top of the ICCT Survey (either first or second) since its inception in 2010.
"Our focus is to offer the lowest fares to our customers so they can have more money in their pocket when they get to their destination," added Baldanza. "One of the main ways we do this is by being efficient users of fuel. But it's also nice to know that in doing so we're also helping to protect the environment."
If you're interested in seeing the airlines with the best and worst scores, you can downloaded the entire ITTC study by going to http://theicct.org/us-domestic-airline-fuel-efficiency-ranking-2013
About Spirit Airlines:
Spirit Airlines (Nasdaq:SAVE) is committed to offering the lowest total price to the places we fly, on average much lower than other airlines. Our customers start with an unbundled, stripped-down Bare Fare™ and get Frill Control™ which allows them to pay only for the options they choose - like bags, seat assignments and refreshments – the things other airlines bake right into their ticket prices. Spirit's total price, including options, is nearly 35% lower than other airlines on average.** We help people save money and travel more often, create new jobs and stimulate business growth in the communities we serve. With our modern and fuel-efficient all-Airbus fleet we operate more than 280 daily flights to 56 destinations in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Come save with us at www.spirit.com.
** Based on US Department of Transportation data for Spirit and other U.S. airlines for the twelve months ended second quarter of 2014 adjusted for differences in length of haul.