AirAsia Philippines is reinforcing its commitment to sustainable aviation by introducing advanced Combo Units—a combined air conditioning and ground power unit—at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). This strategic adoption of cutting-edge Ground Service Equipment (GSE) is designed to significantly improve fuel efficiency and slash carbon emissions during aircraft ground operations.
The implementation of Combo Units in the Philippines marks a crucial step in localizing AirAsia Aviation Group’s regional push for lower-carbon operations, making AirAsia Philippines the second airline in the group to adopt this technology after a successful rollout in Malaysia.
Cutting-Edge Technology for Cleaner Operations
The Combo Units provide essential electrical power and air cooling to aircraft while they are on the ramp, dramatically reducing the reliance on the aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). By minimizing APU usage, the technology is expected to cut ground emissions by up to 90% under optimal use.
Beyond fuel savings, this measure also helps reduce air and noise pollution on the ramp, leading to improved working conditions for baggage handlers and ground technicians, all while maintaining a comfortable boarding experience for passengers. The initial deployment of two Combo Units is projected to deliver an estimated 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ reduction annually.
Capt. Suresh Bangah, CEO of AirAsia Philippines, stated: “Our efforts to reduce emissions go hand in hand with improving the travel experience of our guests. The Combo Units not only lower our fuel consumption and carbon footprint but also ensure our guests remain comfortable while the aircraft is at the ramp, ready for their purposeful journey. This is a crucial step in localizing our regional Net Zero goals.”
This new initiative complements AirAsia Philippines’ existing fuel efficiency program, which collectively helped the low-cost carrier save 3,851 tonnes of fuel and avoid 12,169 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in 2024. These continuous measures have resulted in an improvement in the airline’s carbon intensity, with carbon dioxide per available seat kilometer (CO₂/ASK) dropping by 1.2g to 73.9g.
AirAsia Philippines’ sustainability strategy extends beyond ground technology to a circularity approach in its in-flight services. Last year, the airline diverted 37% of its total in-flight waste from landfills through active segregation and processing. Furthermore, Santan Philippines, the airline’s in-flight food and beverage partner, is committed to transitioning from single-use plastics to compostable, Polylactic Acid (PLA) packaging—derived from renewable sources like corn and cassava—by October 2026.
These large-scale environmental efforts have garnered global recognition this year:
- AirlineRatings.com inaugural Sustainability Award: AirAsia was recognized as a top-three winner in the Low-Cost Carriers category.
- 42kft.com’s first Environmental Audit: AirAsia was recognized among only 25 top-performing carriers globally, earning a perfect 10/10 score in the comprehensive, data-driven sustainability audit.
The implementation of the Combo Units underscores AirAsia Philippines’ dedication to integrating sustainability into every facet of its operations as it works toward achieving its commitment to Net Zero by 2050.
