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  easyJet

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  U2/EZY (UK) | EC/EJU (Europe) | DS/EZS (Switzerland)

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Geneva Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Luton Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport

  Year Founded:

  1995

  CEO:

  Johan Lundgren

The Single European Sky is generally anticipated to slash Europe's aviation-related CO2 emissions by at least 10% - if and when it is implemented. However, some airlines are moving ahead of governments and the dawdling of EU bureaucracy. For the “Connecting Europe by Air – the Green Transformation” event at Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) on Tuesday, June 28, easyJet's flight arriving from Lisbon follows a specifically designed, optimized flight plan to showcase the potential for reducing carbon footprint.

Demonstrating CO2 savings of airspace modernization

The flight is undertaken in collaboration with the Single European Sky’s ATM Research (SESAR)’s ALBATROSS project in order to prove the effects of the initiative, which has been in the works for over 20 years. Thomas Haagensen, Director of Group Markets and Marketing, who also oversees sustainability at the Board level for easyJet, shared the following statement,

"easyJet has committed to net-zero by 2050 when we joined Race to Zero last year. We also recently published our “35% by 2035” interim target. In order to reach this, different elements will play a role and some were showcased on our flights today: we need airspace modernisation, our SESAR-optimised flight shows what is possible; and we require affordable SAF at scale, the carbon savings benefits demonstrated on three of our flights today."

SAF cutting emissions by 27%

easyJet will also uplift sustainable aviation fuel for three of its flights out of Lyon. The 30% SAF blend is produced and supplied by TotalEnergies, and according to the company's estimates, it will reduce carbon emissions of the flights by 27%. Meanwhile, easyJet itself already offsets all of its flights, not relying on the voluntary passenger offsetting mechanisms employed by other carriers.

The Connecting Europe event is meant to bring together politicians and representatives from the industry. Tuesday's event focused on aviation is intended to showcase all the efforts the aviation industry is undertaking to become more sustainable. Meanwhile, industry players will also highlight what is needed from EU policymakers to support the transition towards net-zero.

Pilot and Ph.D. in aviation sustainability

As 2022 is the European Year of Youth, there will be youth panels discussing experiences and young people's views of aviation. Participating will be Italian easyJet pilot Diego Babuder. Beyond piloting Airbus narrowbodies over the European skies, Babuder is also undertaking a four-year research project jointly launched by easyJet and the Politecnico di Milano. This is one of the first PhDs in Europe focusing on the sustainability of air transport.

easyJet is generally not an all-eggs-in-one-basket kind of airline when it comes to sustainability. The leisure carrier has invested in electric aircraft from Wright Electric, hydrogen fuel-cell technology from GKN Aerospace, and a study on industry-wide sustainability measures from Rolls-Royce. Mr Haagersen continued,

"As Europe’s leading airline, easyJet is committed to working with the industry and governments to support and accelerate the change that’s needed. However, full decarbonszation cannot happen without government support, finally implementing the Single European Sky and incentivising new technologies. It is on us all to protect the benefits of aviation for generations to come, while at the same time ensure we do all possible to protect our planet for them.”

What should policymakers and industry representatives focus on for the Connecting Europe event? Leave a comment and share your views on the future of aviation.