• Inmarsat and ESA’s Iris programme will provide next-generation technology to supply the communication capacity for ATC to better manage air traffic and help airlines to reduce carbon emissions through cutting-edge route optimisation

  • easyJet will be the first evaluation partner for next-generation communication service

  • Evaluation will take place on 11 newly delivered easyJet Airbus A320neo aircraft, flying commercially from November 2022

easyJet is the first airline partner for Iris, a ground-breaking air traffic management programme that will act as an enabler to systems that shall minimise flight delays, save fuel and help reduce the environmental impact of air travel.

The programme is led by Inmarsat, the world leader in global, mobile satellite communications, in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus. Iris is a key component of modernising and digitalising the aviation industry and supports the Single European Sky’s ATM Research (SESAR) masterplan for next-generation air traffic management.

easyJet has recently announced its interim science-based carbon reduction target, a 35% carbon emissions intensity improvement by FY2035 on a FY2020 baseline, as part of the airline’s Race to Zero commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Ultimately, easyJet wants to achieve zero carbon emission flying, for example using hydrogen technology, and is working with partners across the industry, including Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Wright Electric, on several dedicated projects to accelerate the development of this technology.

Until zero carbon emission technologies are available, the airline remains absolutely focused on reducing its current carbon emissions as far as possible, and programmes like Iris play an important role.

Iris not only helps the airline to continue to operate its aircraft as efficiently as possible to achieve further efficiency improvements, thus complementing existing initiatives such as adjusting single-engine taxiing on arrival and departure or using advanced weather information and flight efficiency partnerships with key stakeholders such as Airbus, Collins Aerospace, NATS and Eurocontrol.

The programme also supports airspace modernisation. This is crucial for the entire industry as it is the most achievable source of carbon reductions right now as more direct flight paths lead to shorter flying times. The Single European Sky has stated an ambition to deliver 10% carbon emissions savings from European aviation.

Hugh McConnellogue, Director of Airport Operations & Navigation at easyJet said:

“Iris is paving the way for more efficient air traffic management, which is a crucial step forward for the aviation industry. The Iris programme brings multiple benefits, from helping us to achieve our environmental goals by further reducing our carbon emissions from flying, to providing a better experience for our passengers. We’re excited to be leading in this space, setting the standard for the aviation industry and hope to see more airlines follow suit.”

ENDS

 

For further information, please contact the easyJet Press Office on 01582 525252, log onto www.easyJet.com or follow @easyJet_Press

 

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 carbon emissions flying by 2050. Together with its partners, including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions 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. Since 2000, over a 20-year period, the airline reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by over one-third, and aims to bring this down 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.