GOL and TAP Air Portugal Become First Airlines to Implement IATA FuelIS, Advancing Fuel Efficiency and Sustainable Aviation
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that GOL Linhas Aéreas and TAP Air Portugal have become the first two global carriers to adopt IATA FuelIS, a cutting-edge fuel efficiency benchmarking and analytics tool. This initiative marks a significant milestone in aviation’s journey toward greater operational efficiency and long-term carbon reduction goals, aligning with the global aviation sector’s 2050 net-zero carbon emissions roadmap.
The adoption of FuelIS by two prominent airlines highlights the increasing industry focus on managing fuel consumption not only as a key cost component but also as a central pillar of environmental responsibility.
The Importance of Fuel Efficiency in Aviation
Fuel costs remain a dominant expenditure in airline operations, accounting for approximately 25-30% of total operating expenses, depending on market fluctuations. With increasing carbon pricing mechanisms and the decarbonization commitments under the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), managing fuel efficiency is now a strategic imperative for global carriers.
According to IATA’s Net Zero by 2050 roadmap, technological innovation and operational efficiency improvements—including better fuel management—are projected to deliver 10% of total emissions reductions by mid-century.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, emphasized this in the announcement:
“Fuel management is key for airlines. On top of its cost impact, it is intrinsically linked to carbon emissions. Understanding how an airline performs compared to peers using FuelIS can reveal efficiencies that both reduce costs and improve sustainability.”
What Is IATA FuelIS?
IATA FuelIS (Fuel Intelligence Solution) is an advanced analytics platform that helps airlines benchmark and analyze fuel consumption across aircraft types, regions, markets, and operational conditions. The system is powered by real-world data from the IATA Global Aviation Data Management (GADM) platform and integrates seamlessly with IATA’s existing Fuel Efficiency Gap Analysis (FEGA) framework.
FuelIS draws upon the Flight Data eXchange (FDX) program, which aggregates operational fuel data from more than 220 global airlines, covering over 8 million flights annually. This collective, anonymized dataset enables airlines to compare their performance against industry averages and generate actionable insights.
The platform provides granular analysis that includes metrics like fuel burn per block hour, sector length comparisons, and engine performance tracking—critical data for both immediate operational improvements and long-term strategic planning.
How GOL and TAP Are Leveraging FuelIS
For TAP Air Portugal, FuelIS is now a critical tool in measuring the impacts of fleet modernization and the gradual integration of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into operations.
TAP CEO Luís Rodrigues stated:
“Fuel is a major cost driver for TAP Air Portugal. Managing consumption is a priority both financially and environmentally. Every kilogram saved matters. FuelIS gives us the insight needed to measure and refine our decarbonization strategy.”
Similarly, GOL Linhas Aéreas views its adoption of FuelIS as an operational and competitive advantage. The airline’s COO, Albert Pérez, said:
“Fuel is a significant cost factor, and managing it effectively gives us a strong edge. FuelIS equips us with industry-level benchmarking and decision-making tools to fine-tune our performance and reduce costs. It’s another step in our long-term commitment to operational excellence and sustainability.”
Economic and Environmental Impact
Since launching its fuel efficiency programs in 2005, IATA has helped its member airlines identify annual fuel savings of 4.76 million tonnes, equating to $3.8 billion in avoided costs. This demonstrates the dual benefit of efficiency: economic resilience and climate impact mitigation.
FuelIS contributes directly to national and international efforts for carbon accountability in aviation. As governments increasingly enforce emissions tracking and reporting, tools like FuelIS help airlines comply with evolving regulations such as:
- EU ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme)
- CORSIA under ICAO
- National sustainability mandates like Brazil’s ProBioCombustível and Portugal’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP)
These regulatory frameworks, accessible via official sources like icao.int, easa.europa.eu, and europa.eu/climate-action, reinforce the need for robust data management and emissions transparency.
Data Accuracy and Benchmarking
One of the most powerful features of FuelIS is its data credibility, built on IATA’s trusted data governance. The FDX platform ensures anonymized, validated operational data, enabling apples-to-apples comparison among different airlines and aircraft types. FuelIS also helps airlines set measurable KPIs and track improvements over time.
This is especially vital for airlines investing in new aircraft, SAF testing programs, or hybrid-electric propulsion. Comparing outcomes across similar fleet profiles can validate or recalibrate investment strategies in real time.
Industry-Wide Adoption and Future Outlook
As airlines like GOL and TAP set the precedent, broader industry adoption of FuelIS is anticipated. With more airlines striving to meet Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) goals and aligning with national decarbonization strategies—such as Brazil’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Portugal’s Green Deal commitments—data tools will be indispensable.
Moreover, as the global SAF market scales, having detailed fuel performance insights can help airlines integrate SAF cost-effectively while maximizing emissions reductions.
IATA’s focus on digital transformation and real-time analytics aligns with aviation’s move toward smart operations, endorsed in government-backed aviation modernization strategies like FAA’s NextGen and EU’s Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR).
Conclusion
The decision by GOL and TAP Air Portugal to implement IATA FuelIS represents a strategic shift toward data-driven efficiency and long-term climate accountability in aviation. With rising fuel costs, stricter emissions regulations, and ambitious decarbonization timelines, the ability to precisely measure and optimize fuel use is no longer optional—it is essential.
As the industry faces the twin pressures of economic viability and environmental responsibility, tools like FuelIS offer a scalable, evidence-based path forward.
For more information, visit:
- IATA – Fuel Efficiency
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- European Union Climate Action
- Brazilian Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
- Portugal Ministry of Environment and Climate Action
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