EasyJet has announced that it is implementing a lower-weight painting technique to decrease the fuel consumption of its aircraft, claiming to be the first airline in the world to do so.
The airline is testing a new method that minimizes the number of layers of paint required for its distinctive orange and white livery.
According to EasyJet, this system results in a “relatively modest” weight reduction of 27kg per aircraft, but contributes to “many incremental steps” aimed at making its planes lighter, leading to reduced fuel consumption and, consequently, lower carbon emissions.
This technique, developed in collaboration with the international company Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings, has already been applied to 38 EasyJet aircraft.
EasyJet’s Director of Sustainability, Lahiru Ranasinghe, stated: “EasyJet is continually seeking and developing innovative solutions to diminish the impact of our operations.”
“While this is a small component of a broader strategy, the creation of a new lightweight paint with our partners at Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings highlights our commitment to examining every aspect of our operations to identify efficiency improvements that help us fulfill this mission.”
In 2022, EasyJet committed to achieving a 35% reduction in carbon emissions per passenger kilometre by 2035 in comparison to 2019 levels.
Last September, the airline reported a 5% enhancement in performance, primarily through the use of more efficient aircraft.
The British government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate was enacted on Wednesday.
By law, SAF must constitute at least 2% of all jet fuel utilized in flights departing from UK airports by 2025.
This percentage will increase annually, reaching 10% by 2030 and 22% by 2040.
SAF is considered essential for reducing the carbon emissions of the aviation sector.
This fuel is produced from materials such as agricultural waste and used cooking oil, resulting in approximately 70% less carbon emissions during production compared to conventional jet fuel, a type of kerosene.
The British government has also suggested the establishment of a new entity to enhance flight paths.
Officials from the Department for Transport believe that allowing aircraft to utilize modern navigation technologies will enhance efficiency, such as by lessening the necessity for planes to enter holding patterns before receiving landing clearance at crowded airports.
EasyJet has previously indicated that inefficient airspace usage leads to increased fuel consumption, carbon emissions, and extended flight times.
The airline identified this problem as a “universal issue” across Europe but noted that the “greatest inefficiencies” for its operations occur in the UK.
