Etihad Airways’ push to improve fuel efficiency and cut carbon dioxide emissions has resulted in the equivalent of 40,000 cars being taken off the nation’s roads, the carrier said.

Etihad’s efficiency initiatives across the business saved more than 60,000 tonnes of fuel in 2016. This 2.5 per cent improvement over the year amounts to a cut of nearly 190,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of 1,200 flights between Abu Dhabi and London or the removal of 40,000 cars from the roads.

"Fuel optimisation is a top agenda item for any successful and sustainable airline, with Etihad Airways no exception," said Richard Hill, the chief operations officer for Etihad. "I’m delighted to see so many of our pilots fully engaged with the programme, as this has ensured … identification of new measures that can deliver greater fuel savings in the years ahead."

Reducing weight can significantly improve fuel savings. Aircraft such as Etihad’s Airbus A380 superjumbo has a maximum take-off weight of 575 tonnes, equivalent to 115 African elephants or 218 Toyota Land Cruisers. The airline’s "weight out" programme – the removal or replacement of on-board equipment – led to a fuel burn reduction of 1,100 tonnes last year.

Seasonal fog can raise fuel burn, requiring more to be carried and the airline is now working with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute to enable more accurate local fog predictions.

For 2016, Etihad exceeded the 1.5 per cent efficiency improvement target set by the industry itself. The airline’s long-term goal is for emissions to be 50 per cent of 2005 levels by 2050.