EasyJet planes descend on Lyon to showcase innovative sustainability approach

EasyJet turned some of its every day flights into examples of the future direction of commercial aviation at Europe’s flagship mobility event in France this week, the airline said in a press release. 

Last week, the airline conducted flights intended to showcase new technology aimed at making flights more sustainable, including using new optimized flight plans and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

Sustainable aviation fuel project shows promising results

Initial findings from a world-first study of the impact of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial jet have provided promising … Continued

This was occurring at Connecting Europe Days 2022 in Lyon, France – the biggest mobility event in Europe that brings together politicians, industry representatives, and the European Commission to discuss how to better get objects and people around. The conference is focused on the goals set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. 

Part of the drive towards lower emissions is coming from the aviation industry and EasyJet chose to use the occasion to highlight sustainable initiatives it has been partnering on. 

What was onboard?

In collaboration with the Single European Sky’s ALBATROSS project, the airline’s flight from Lisbon to Lyon followed a specifically designed, optimized flight plan to help showcase the potential for significant CO2 savings, if the Single European Sky was implemented.

Three of easyJet’s flights that departed from Lyon airport were uplifted by a 30% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), produced and supplied by TotalEnergies, reducing emissions from each of these flights by 27% compared to using conventional jet fuel. 

These latter flights originated from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bucharest, and Frankfurt.

The airline also says it has the ambition “to fly on zero carbon emission aircraft” and the airline is working with several major players in the industry to develop one. 

Thomas Haagensen, Director of Group Markets and Marketing, who also oversees sustainability at the Board level and is representing the EasyJet management at this event, said: “In the longer term, we believe that aviation needs to make radical changes and championing the development of a zero-carbon emission aircraft to decarbonize aviation is a focus for EasyJet.”

The future of sustainable aviation

Just like everything else, the aviation sector needs to do something about its emissions. Aviation companies and countries have gotten together and set ambitious goals … Continued