Ultra-Low Emission Aircraft Turn Initiative Reduces CO2 Emissions by 97%*

• The aircraft turn trial – believed to be the first of its kind – is using electric ground vehicles to reduce emissions to almost zero
• Learnings from the Bristol Airport trial will help shape future operational changes
• This initiative is a further step to enable easyJet’s transition towards goal of net zero emissions

easyJet and Bristol Airport have announced they have achieved close to zero emission aircraft turnarounds through the use of electric powered ground equipment instead of Diesel. The initiative is part a collaboration between easyJet and Bristol Airport to decarbonise ground operations at the airport.  The trial results have shown a 97% reduction in CO2 emissions using the daily data produced throughout September.

 

Switching to electric ground equipment including steps, baggage trollies, belt loaders and ground power units to service the aircraft between flights is one of a number of initiatives focused on reducing emissions. It forms part of a wider programme of cutting-edge developments and operational efficiency initiatives.

 

easyJet is using Bristol Airport as a test-bed to trial and implement the latest technological and innovative solutions for decarbonising its operations and reducing waste.  Any successful results from the trials will have the potential to be rolled out across easyJet’s network which spans 150 airports across 35 countries. 

 

The six-month trial commenced on 1 September 2021 using two dedicated aircraft stands used by easyJet aircraft. The results to date show a saving of 1721 kgs of carbon during the period the electrical equipment was in use with only 59 kgs used compared with 1780 kgs emitted using like-for-like diesel equipment.* 

 

The joint partnership works with various expert associates and partners including TCR, DHL, ITW, Up and Away and Terbergh.

 

Projects and trials will include work in the following areas:

• electric Ground Power Units
• Sustainable Aviation Fuels
• electric passenger coach transportation
• recycling and waste management
• employee carbon-saving initiatives
• supply chain carbon reductions 
• aircraft continuous descent approaches
• zero carbon emission aircraft turnarounds
• NEO aircraft deployment and fleet optimisation

Johan Lundgren, CEO, easyJet, said:

“At easyJet, we want to play our part to lead the decarbonisation of aviation, so we are delighted to see the results of this successful trial which has create a meaningful reduction in operational emissions by embracing the technology available to us today.

 

“The learnings from the Bristol trial will help us shape our sustainability strategy for future operational changes – all of which will help enable easyJet’s transition towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

 

“Alongside carbon offsetting and flying efficiently with a young, modern fleet, reducing the impact of our airport operations alongside our airport partners is an important component of our decarbonisation pathway while we are supporting the development of zero-emission aircraft for the future of flying.”

Dave Lees, CEO, Bristol Airport said:

“This is an outstanding achievement by all partners involved. The trial has reduced aircraft turnaround emissions by 97%*.  This is another demonstration of how working together, including partners and experts in their field, we are able to create a positive reduction in carbon emissions today.

 

“As an airport we are taking our commitments to address climate change seriously and this trial is only one initiative we are delivering on towards achieving a net zero airport operation by 2030. 

 

“We will continue to work in partnership with easyJet to enable us to develop joint initiatives and projects to contribute towards decarbonising aviation and the creation of green jobs.”

 

Rob O’Dare, Airfield Technical & Compliance Manager, Bristol Airport added:

“Leading on sustainability projects of this nature, at the forefront of what is possible, is hugely rewarding.

 

“This project has been particularly satisfying as a result of the the teamwork demonstrated by the multiple participants, including amongst others EasyJet, DHL, TCR and ITW that was needed to pull this together.

“Many of those partners have invested in the trial significantly in terms of time and equipment at no cost, understanding that we are investing in the social responsibility the aviation industry carries.

 

“The low emission turnaround trial is just one of many initiatives Bristol Airport and easyJet are working on as part of our sustainability partnership.”

Notes to Editors

Statistics for the period covering 13/09/2021 – 13/10/2021 from TCR Telematics Data (cross checked by DHL and Bristol Airport).

1. 97% reduction for electrical GSE use compared to traditional diesel equipment
2. The electrical equipment has run for 1,787 hours, using only 203 kWh generating 59 kg CO2.  
3. The equivalent traditional fuel powered equipment would have used 704 litres of fuel generating 1,780 kg CO2.

For more information: [email protected] or [email protected]

About easyJet

easyJet is Europe’s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service.

 

easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 96 million passengers in 2019 – more than 16 million travelling for business. The airline has over 300 aircraft on nearly 1000 routes to more than 150 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an easyJet airport.

 

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in eight countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £14m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

 

The airline takes sustainability seriously and is committed to reaching net-zero emissions flying by 2050. Together with its partners Airbus and Wright Electric, easyJet is working to accelerate the development of zero-emission aircraft technology. In the meantime, the airline is offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all its flights, at no additional cost to its customers, and only supports projects that are certified by Gold Standard or the Verified Carbon Standard, internationally recognised certification schemes. In addition, easyJet continues to renew its fleet, operate efficiently, and aims to fill most of its seats. Through these activities, the airline has cut its carbon emissions per passenger kilometre efficiency by a third since 2000 and is committed to reducing this further.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching over 25 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. The airline was named as Britain’s Most Admired Company of 2020 in the transport sector, retaining the leading position for a second year running. Britain’s Most Admired Companies study is the longest-running annual survey of corporate reputation in the UK.

( Press Release Image: https://photos.webwire.com/prmedia/7/280957/280957-1.jpg )

Related Links

Source

WebWireID280957

This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.