Paris, France – Air France has announced it will spend almost $3 billion a year until 2020 to modernize its fleet, a plan that will reduce pollution and noise.



The airline expects its investment of about $2.94 billion a year will reduce fuel consumption by 15 to 20 percent over the next five years.



The modernization is also expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions between 2005 and 2012 by 20 percent for flights from France overseas and by 5 percent domestically. Additionally, noise pollution will be reduced below 2005 levels.



Air France has been modernizing its fleet for the past decade with the goal of cutting fuel use and carbon emissions. Currently, the company is swapping its eight Boeing 747-200 freighters with Boeing 777 freighters, a move that will cut fuel consumption by 30 percent.



Air France has also added a CO2 calculator to its website, allowing passengers to calculate the emissions created by their flights, and provides a link to ActionCarbone.org, where passengers can offset their emissions by paying to support renewable energy projects in Senegal and China.