Project Outline for Frontier Airlines
Project Purpose
Frontier is looking to make its footprint in the area of sustainability. Simply said, we have a need, and a desire, to turn our airline as green and environmentally friendly as possible. We are looking for ways, above and beyond a recycling program, that might head us in the direction of becoming an industry leader in the area of sustainability.
History
The airline industry as a whole is not very well known for their eco-friendliness. Up until 2008, Frontier Airlines employees have talked the talked, but didn’t even have recycling bin in the company’s headquarters! As we plan for our future goals, we are hopeful of not only being ‘the airline with the animals on its tails’ but we hope to become more environmentally friendly. We have a long road to head down in terms of sustainability, but are looking for ways to impact the environment little by little.
Project Objectives
We are looking for a head-to-toe assessment of Frontier’s corporate offices, terminals at Denver International Airport and Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport, along with onboard our aircraft for ways that can become a more environmentally friendly company.
§ A current assessment of how Frontier impacts the environment and how we currently operate in terms of sustainability.
· Compile a database of potential Eco-friendly partners
· Develop a cost analysis associated with making some eco-friendly changes
· Research the benefits of carbon off-sets if offered to passengers
· A recycling program on our aircraft, at our headquarters, and in the DIA and MKE terminals.
· Identify areas of weakness and develop tangible goals on how to begin turning the airline into a more eco-friendly company.
Project Scope
§ The environmental analysis should currently exclude the basic operation of the aircraft (i.e. the type of engines, type of fuel consumed) but is not limited by power saving ideas such as energy consumed while parked at the gates.
§ Focus should stay on Frontier’s Denver and Milwaukee Headquarters, Denver, International Airport and Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport and Frontier Aircraft only.
Denver, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis Headquarters
§ Looking for ways to implement a recycling program
§ Energy saving ideas
Denver International Airport and Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport
§ How do we develop a green terminal---must take into consideration that Frontier leases the space from the City of Denver and does not own the property
Onboard Aircraft
§ How do we implement a recycling program that will not disrupt the current operation—cannot delay flights or disrupt flight attendants from performing their essential job function
§ Develop partnership with vendor
Deliverables
§ Suggested list of eco-friendly vendors that we could potentially partner with for products on our aircraft (cups, napkins, etc)
§ How to roll out a recycling program—on aircraft, in offices, at terminals (considerations on how to have the recyclables removed)
§ Cost associated with all recommendations
§ Will these suggestions (operating a greener airline) help to drive revenue?
Project Approach
· Initial overview of any current programs Frontier is running in the area of sustainability
· Identify areas of opportunity
· Make suggestions on execution
· Cost analysis of implementing programs
· Suggestion of execution timeline
Critical Milestones and Event Dates
§ February- initial assessment of current situation as it relates to sustainability at Frontier
§ March- Identification of areas of opportunity
§ April- Ideas of execution and costs associated with implementation/vendor and product suggestions
Roles and Responsibilities
Students
§ Evaluate current sustainable situation at Frontier
§ Identify areas where Frontier can improve and implement new programs-taking into consideration the operation
§ Make suggestions on how to implement project
§ Put together a cost analysis of executing project
Frontier
§ Provide students with access into various work areas, including secure areas at Airport
§ Provide transportation and lodging if required (most trips can be done in a day trip)
Frontier’s Corporate Responsibility Team
§ Provide feedback on suggestions made
§ Help identify key areas of concern/ or areas of opportunity
§ Provide students with current costs if needed
Quality Considerations
§ The final product will be used by senior management in rolling out our 2011/2012 green campaign
§ Roughly 150 thousand people a day will be affected by the implemented aspects of the product.
Assumptions
All visits will need to be planned in order to have an employee who carries a SIDA badge certification escort in each of the Frontier locations. Visits will need to be scheduled 48 hours prior to the desired visit.