Summary
- easyJet accomplished a retrofit across its fleet with state-of-the-art technology to avoid wasting fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.
- In partnership with Airbus, enables using descent optimization and continuous approach software to make aircraft descents more efficient.
- The retrofits end in an annual reduction of nearly 90,000 metric tonnes of CO2.
British multinational low-cost airline easyJet has accomplished its multimillion fleetwide retrofit of state-of-the-art technology that can save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions. The update, announced last yr, is a component of the carrier’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
In partnership with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the technology is designed to make aircraft descents more efficient and reduce noise by updating the flight management system. easyJet said the retrofits enable the airline to avoid wasting fuel permanently by as much as 1%.
How DPO and CDA work together
Airbus’ Descent Profile Optimization (DPO) software allows aircraft to stay cruising for longer phases. It removes the ‘level-off’ stage toward the top of the descent, enabling planes to descend while reducing carbon emissions. It really works alongside the Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) software to scale back noise.
Photo: easyJet
In response to easyJet, the investment into DPO and CDA leads to an annual reduction of 88,600 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is comparable to driving a automotive all over the world 16,100 times.
Using the technology to its “full potential”
Captain David Morgan, easyJet’s Chief Operating Officer, commented on completing the retrofits.
“While that is one initiative of many outlined in our roadmap to net-zero, it provides a everlasting CO2 saving and forms one other step on the solution to us realising our net-zero goal.”
Although Morgan stated the brand new technology is the for optimizing descents and reducing fuel burn, the airline executive called on the federal government to take responsibility for modernizing Europe’s airspace.
“While technologies like DPO and CDA are the very best solution for more optimised descent trajectories within the here and now – more must be done by governments and policymakers to be sure that our airspace is modernised, including implementing Single European Sky, in order that this state-of-the-art technology might be used to its full potential.”
Photo: easyJet
Single European Sky is an initiative launched in 2004 that tackles the fragmentation of Europe’s airspace and goals to enhance air traffic management (ATM), based on the European Commission. easyJet said this system has ambitions to deliver a ten% savings in carbon emissions in European aviation.
Partnering with corporations and public authorities
The low-cost airline operates an all-Airbus fleet of greater than 180 narrowbody jets within the UK. In response to ch-aviation, 175 aircraft are currently lively: 53 A319s, 76 A320s, 36 A320neos, and 10 A321neos.
said Nicholas Chretien, Senior Vice President of Sustainability & Environment at Airbus. “
With the completion of the retrofits, easyJet becomes the biggest airline on this planet with DPO and CDA capability. The airline said it continues to work with stakeholders and public authorities across Europe to advocate for airspace modernization and net-zero initiatives. Along with Single European Sky, the airline partners with IRIS, an ATM program, to pave the way in which for more recent and efficient air traffic systems to attenuate flight delays, save fuel, and reduce emissions.