About
Smart Freight Centre’s Airline ESG Survey supports airfreight procurement by providing insightful data on airline sustainability efforts. The standardized reporting template is designed to help shippers, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), and others make informed decisions when selecting carriers, and can also serve as a reference for setting or updating sustainability strategies. By promoting transparency and encouraging continuous improvement, the survey advances sustainability across the airline industry and its value chain, while simplifying procurement processes through standardized data exchange.
How does the survey work?
Customers of air freight services invite airlines to complete Smart Freight Centre’s standardized, peer-reviewed ESG Survey, which captures greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fleet composition data as well as broader sustainability measures in a consistent format.
Airlines complete and submit the survey through the designated online survey process. Their responses can then be included in SFC’s consolidated report, which compiles submissions received during the reporting period and is shared exclusively with the Clean Air Transport (CAT) program’s non-airline members, including leading global shippers and Logistics Service Providers (LSPs). Individual airline responses will not be shared with other airlines, SFC airline members, or the public. Airlines that prefer to share their responses directly with selected customers may opt out of inclusion in the consolidated report; however, participation in the consolidated report is strongly encouraged, as it reduces duplication and provides CAT members with a consistent overview of airline sustainability efforts.
In addition, selected data from all submissions – regardless of whether they are shared with SFC members – will be aggregated anonymously into a public benchmarking report. This report will present industry-wide averages and trends, illustrated with charts and graphics, without revealing any individual airline’s data (see the 2024 Benchmarking Report here and the 2025 Benchmarking Report here).
To track progress and emerging trends, the survey is conducted annually, with returning participants invited to update their responses each year.
Benefits for different stakeholders
Airlines
- Are able to present their services to a wide audience of customers and potential new customers interested in purchasing sustainable airfreight solutions
- Can enhance their reputation by showcasing their ESG efforts
- Gain insights into industry standards and developments
- Receive an industry-wide benchmark of their own sustainability performance
- Use the benchmarking as a basis for further development of their sustainability measures
Airline Partners
- Receive consolidated information on airlines’ sustainability efforts supporting them in making more informed choices
- Are presented with a consolidated overview of the most important sustainability criteria regarding air freight
- Can increase their reputation with clients by selecting the most sustainable airlines
- Gain insights into industry standards and developments
- Are supported in their development and revision of realistic (science-based) sustainability targets and strategies
Survey Timeline
July 10, 2026 - Release of 2026 Airline ESG Survey
The 2026 Airline ESG Survey will be available via Qualtrics on July 10.
August 31, 2026 - Deadline for survey completion and submission.
By completing and submitting the survey by this date, you allow us to compile and analyze the data in a timely manner and make sure your data will be part of the consolidated report (if applicable) as well as the benchmarking report.
October 2026 – Release of consolidated report
As soon as all the answers have been collected from the airlines and compiled in a single document, they will be shared with the CAT program’s LSP and shipper members.
December 2026 – Release of benchmarking report
The publicly available benchmarking report will present industry averages and key insights based on all survey responses – without disclosing any individual airline's data. It will be published on this website. Participating airlines will automatically receive a copy at the email address used for their submission.
Instructions for airlines
- Register your interest in participating in the 2026 SFC Airline ESG Survey by completing this form or by contacting us at airlinesurvey@smartfreightcentre.org. Once registered, you will receive a personalized survey link and further instructions. If you have any questions at any stage of the process, our team will be happy to assist.
- Receive the annual SFC Airline ESG Survey Benchmarking Report upon completion of the survey cycle. The report provides valuable insights into industry sustainability trends and enables participating airlines to benchmark their sustainability efforts against aggregated industry results. Individual airline responses will never be shared with other airlines. Aggregated survey results will be shared exclusively with the non-airline members of Smart Freight Centre's Clean Air Transport (CAT) Program, including logistics service providers and shippers.
Note:
Even if your airline chooses not to share responses with the Clean Air Transport (CAT) program’s shipper and LSP members, we strongly encourage you to submit the completed survey via the online survey form. Your submission will contribute to the publicly available benchmarking report, which is based on aggregated results from all responses received (see the 2025 Benchmarking Report here). Individual responses will not be included or disclosed in any form in this report. You are welcome to share your survey responses directly with your customers to ensure full transparency where desired.
Instructions for LSPs and Shippers
- Contact the airlines you are (interested in) doing business with and request them to complete the Smart Freight Centre Airline ESG Survey.
- Refer your person of contact to this form where they can request a participation link.
- Ask them to submit the completed survey before the deadline - August 31, 2026.
- As a member of Smart Freight Centre’s Clean Air Transport program, you will receive a consolidated report containing the survey responses from all participating airlines that have agreed to share their data with all CAT shipper and LSP members. This report serves as the main channel for accessing and comparing airline responses. In addition, you may receive survey forms directly from airlines, if they choose to share them with you individually.
- If you're not yet a member of SFC and would like to benefit from this and other offerings, please contact membership@smartfreightcentre.org for more information.
Need help?
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at airlinesurvey@smartfreightcentre.org.