easyJet has invested in state-of-the-art technology that will produce a one percent fuel savings across their fleet through Airbus’ Descent Profile Optimization (DPO) and Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) solutions for compatible aircraft.
On Monday (September 26, 2022), easyJet announced a multi-million pound fleet-wide investment in the latest aircraft software that will produce a permanent one percent fuel savings upon retrofit on compatible aircraft. The reduction in fuel burn will be achieved through Airbus’ Decent Profile Optimization (DPO) function, as well as the Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) feature. Once completed, easyJet will operate the world’s larges fleet of DPO and CDA enabled aircraft. This announcement is part of the launch of easyJet’s roadmap to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. For more information on the carrier’s SBTi-aligned roadmap to 2050, please click here.
In Monday’s announcement, easyJet’s Interim COO, Captain David Morgan, said,
“While our ultimate ambition is to achieve zero carbon emission flying, we must continue our focus on reducing the carbon emissions in our operation each and every day. That’s why this multi-million-pound investment is an important step in achieving a permanent reduction in the short-term which will see us operating the largest fleet of DPO & CDA enabled aircraft in the world. But one crucial element to reduce carbon emissions right now cannot be achieved by the industry alone, and so we are also calling on governments to introduce airspace modernisation right now, including finally implementing the Single European Sky.”
Also commenting on the technology retrofit, Airbus’ Executive Vice President – Region and Sales Europe, Wouter Van Wersch, said,
“We are very pleased that easyJet will equip its entire Airbus A320-family-fleet with these state-of-the-art technologies. Emission reduction in aviation is most successfully achieved as a team effort - aircraft manufacturers joining forces with airlines and air traffic management. By combining the use of DPO and CDA, easyJet will further reduce its fuel consumption while optimising the trajectory of all its flights.”
Descent Profile Optimization is a fuel saving initiative that updates the Flight Management System (FMS) to enable more efficient descents by allowing the aircraft to remain in cruise longer and reduce deceleration level-off. Continuous Descent approach also minimizes noise pollution, benefiting communities around airports. Additionally, in the coming years, easyJet will continue to invest in their fleet renewal program, with a list price investment of $21 billion in new Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, which are 15 percent more fuel efficient and 50 percent quieter than the aircraft they will replace.
easyJet is also implementing new software and AI to identify further efficiencies, with the adoption of SkyBreathe®. The innovative efficiency solution has been developed by OpenAirlines and is based on Cloud, AI and Big Data, and enables airlines to save fuel and reduce their carbon footprint by five percent. This complements easyJet’s flight efficiency partnerships with key stakeholders including Airbus, Collins Aerospace, NATS and Eurocontrol. For example, as previously announced, easyJet received their first Airbus A320neo equipped with the latest Satellite Landing System (SLS) technology. SLS helps to further optimize operational efficiencies, thereby reducing fuel use.
easyJet carries nearly 100 million passengers annually on around 1,000 routes to over 150 airports across 35 countries. The airline has a fleet of over 300 aircraft, and over 300 million Europeans live within an hour’s drive of an airport served by easyJet. The popular low-cost carrier (LCC) is dedicated to innovation and leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational efficiencies. easyJet was named “Britain’s Most Admired Company” in the transport sector for 2020, based on the longest running annual corporate reputation study in the UK.
Source: easyJet