South Korean airlines reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by over 280,000 tons in the first half of the year, cutting their use of fuel in the process, which reduced the travel cost for passengers, the government said Wednesday.

Under a voluntary agreement, seven South Korean flag carriers, including industry leaders Korean Air Lines Co. and Asiana Airlines Inc., reduced their combined greenhouse gas emissions by 287,000 tons from the business as usual levels in the first six months of the year, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

This also helped reduce their use of fuel by 91,000 tons, worth some 45 billion won ($40.26 million).

The ministry noted the decline in emissions is equivalent to the total amount that would have been emitted by 17 million passenger cars each making the 900-kilometer round trip between Seoul and the southern port city of Busan.

"The local airlines have worked to improve their fuel efficiency by introducing the latest, most advanced aircraft and by regularly cleaning their aircraft's engines," it said in a press release.

"The government too will continue to encourage airlines to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions," it added. (Yonhap)