How to prepare for CORSIA: 5 step guide for airline operators
By now, most airline professionals have heard of CORSIA—the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. But with the mandatory phase kicking in by 2027, the time for high-level awareness is over. It’s time to move into action.
Whether you’re leading flight operations, sustainability strategy or fleet efficiency programs, this guide lays out five practical steps to get ahead of the compliance curve—while finding real operational gains along the way.
Why CORSIA readiness can’t wait
CORSIA isn’t just another reporting obligation. It’s the first global market-based measure for aviation emissions. Starting in 2027, airlines that operate internationally and emit more than 10,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually will be required to offset emissions above a 2019 baseline.
Delaying action means you could face:
- Soaring offset costs as carbon prices climb
- Regulatory penalties or flight restrictions
- Reputational damage among passengers and partners demanding sustainability
Let’s look at the five steps your operations can start taking today to ensure compliance by 2027.
Step 1: Know your airline’s emissions—and your exposure
Start with a full inventory of your current emissions by aircraft type, route and operation. Focus especially on international routes, as these fall under CORSIA’s scope.
Use certified tools and advanced airline-wide tracking platforms like Jeppesen Emissions Reporter to avoid underestimating exposure. Once you have a baseline, forecast growth—because exceeding your 2019 levels triggers offsetting requirements.
Step 2: Reduce fuel burn with data, not guesswork
One of the smartest ways to cut emissions—and save money—is to optimize cruise fuel use. But to execute against this, you need to be working from data to know where you are versus where you need to be. That’s where Cost Index Optimization for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro comes in.
How it works:
Cruise fuel accounts for the majority of flight emissions on longer flights. With Cost Index Optimization, pilots get real-time, tail-specific speed advisories, based on factors like weight, weather and aircraft performance. The result: more efficient cruise speeds, lower fuel burn and fewer offsets needed.
For example, Virgin Atlantic cut cruise fuel use by 1.7% on its 787 fleet, reducing CO₂ by 1,900 kg per flight with cost index optimization technology used in Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor. Across the year, that’s not just compliance—that’s serious cost savings.
Step 3: Build a resilient carbon reduction strategy
Offsets alone won’t future-proof your operation, and if the past is any indicator, CORSIA won’t be the last sustainability requirement your organization will come up against. As such, a resilient carbon reduction strategy will set your operations up for success. That strategy should blend:
- Fuel-saving technologies like Cost Index Optimization
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use where available
- Partnerships with verified offset providers
- Route planning adjustments based on emissions exposure
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but it’s a starting point to begin the conversation with the necessary teams to build one that’s suited to your operations. Your strategy should evolve as CORSIA phases tighten and SAF markets develop.
Step 4: Prepare and equip your flight ops team
CORSIA compliance touches every part of your operation—especially the flight deck—and the best way to ensure your flight ops team is prepared is to:
- Start socializing CORSIA organization-wide if you haven’t already
- Provide them with the tools and technology necessary to be compliant
This includes equipping your pilots with tools that make smarter decisions easier, not harder.
Jeppesen’s Cost Index Optimization tool integrates directly into FliteDeck Pro, requiring minimal training and no extra hardware. That means faster adoption, real savings and minimal disruption to pilot workflows.
Step 5: Start now, not later
CORSIA may seem like a 2027 problem—but aligning systems, training and fleet behavior takes time. Early adopters will not only be ready, but they’ll benefit from:
- Lower fuel costs
- Reduced exposure to rising offset prices
- Stronger positioning with eco-conscious passengers and regulators
Use CORSIA to your advantage
CORSIA isn’t just a compliance checkbox—it’s a chance to future-proof your airline and unlock new operational efficiencies. With tools like Cost Index Optimization for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, you’re not just preparing for 2027—you’re building a smarter, more resilient operation today.
Ready to get ahead of the curve?
Let’s talk about how Jeppesen can support your journey to compliance and efficiency. Contact our team today to see how quickly you can start saving fuel and cutting emissions—without adding complexity to the cockpit.
By now, most airline professionals have heard of CORSIA—the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. But with the mandatory phase kicking in by 2027, the time for high-level awareness is over. It’s time to move into action.
Whether you’re leading flight operations, sustainability strategy or fleet efficiency programs, this guide lays out five practical steps to get ahead of the compliance curve—while finding real operational gains along the way.
Why CORSIA readiness can’t wait
CORSIA isn’t just another reporting obligation. It’s the first global market-based measure for aviation emissions. Starting in 2027, airlines that operate internationally and emit more than 10,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually will be required to offset emissions above a 2019 baseline.
Delaying action means you could face:
- Soaring offset costs as carbon prices climb
- Regulatory penalties or flight restrictions
- Reputational damage among passengers and partners demanding sustainability
Let’s look at the five steps your operations can start taking today to ensure compliance by 2027.
Step 1: Know your airline’s emissions—and your exposure
Start with a full inventory of your current emissions by aircraft type, route and operation. Focus especially on international routes, as these fall under CORSIA’s scope.
Use certified tools and advanced airline-wide tracking platforms like Jeppesen Emissions Reporter to avoid underestimating exposure. Once you have a baseline, forecast growth—because exceeding your 2019 levels triggers offsetting requirements.
Step 2: Reduce fuel burn with data, not guesswork
One of the smartest ways to cut emissions—and save money—is to optimize cruise fuel use. But to execute against this, you need to be working from data to know where you are versus where you need to be. That’s where Cost Index Optimization for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro comes in.
How it works:
Cruise fuel accounts for the majority of flight emissions on longer flights. With Cost Index Optimization, pilots get real-time, tail-specific speed advisories, based on factors like weight, weather and aircraft performance. The result: more efficient cruise speeds, lower fuel burn and fewer offsets needed.
For example, Virgin Atlantic cut cruise fuel use by 1.7% on its 787 fleet, reducing CO₂ by 1,900 kg per flight with cost index optimization technology used in Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor. Across the year, that’s not just compliance—that’s serious cost savings.
Step 3: Build a resilient carbon reduction strategy
Offsets alone won’t future-proof your operation, and if the past is any indicator, CORSIA won’t be the last sustainability requirement your organization will come up against. As such, a resilient carbon reduction strategy will set your operations up for success. That strategy should blend:
- Fuel-saving technologies like Cost Index Optimization
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) use where available
- Partnerships with verified offset providers
- Route planning adjustments based on emissions exposure
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, but it’s a starting point to begin the conversation with the necessary teams to build one that’s suited to your operations. Your strategy should evolve as CORSIA phases tighten and SAF markets develop.
Step 4: Prepare and equip your flight ops team
CORSIA compliance touches every part of your operation—especially the flight deck—and the best way to ensure your flight ops team is prepared is to:
- Start socializing CORSIA organization-wide if you haven’t already
- Provide them with the tools and technology necessary to be compliant
This includes equipping your pilots with tools that make smarter decisions easier, not harder.
Jeppesen’s Cost Index Optimization tool integrates directly into FliteDeck Pro, requiring minimal training and no extra hardware. That means faster adoption, real savings and minimal disruption to pilot workflows.
Step 5: Start now, not later
CORSIA may seem like a 2027 problem—but aligning systems, training and fleet behavior takes time. Early adopters will not only be ready, but they’ll benefit from:
- Lower fuel costs
- Reduced exposure to rising offset prices
- Stronger positioning with eco-conscious passengers and regulators
Use CORSIA to your advantage
CORSIA isn’t just a compliance checkbox—it’s a chance to future-proof your airline and unlock new operational efficiencies. With tools like Cost Index Optimization for Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro, you’re not just preparing for 2027—you’re building a smarter, more resilient operation today.
Ready to get ahead of the curve?
Let’s talk about how Jeppesen can support your journey to compliance and efficiency. Contact our team today to see how quickly you can start saving fuel and cutting emissions—without adding complexity to the cockpit.