easyJet and Bristol Airport have today announced following trials at the South West regional airport that they have achieved close to zero emissions on aircraft turnarounds, this is thanks to the use of electric powered ground vehicles used to move aircraft steps, baggage trollies, belt loaders and power units all of which service aircraft during the turnaround.
The new initiative is part of a collaboration between easyJet and Bristol Airport to decarbonise ground operations, the trial which started on the 1st September 2021 has shown a 97% reduction in CO2 emissions. The switching to electric ground equipment is one of a number of initiatives which are focussed on reducing emissions across Bristol Airport.
easyJet is using Bristol Airport as its test bed to trial and roll out the latest solutions to tackle decarbonising its operations, results from the trials will possibly be rolled out to other airports across the easyJet network.
As an example results from the trial over the past 2 months has shown a saving of 1721 kgs of carbon during the period the electrical equipment was in use with only 59 kgs used compared with 1780 kgs emitted using like-for-like diesel equipment.
The joint partnership works with various expert associates and partners including TCR, DHL, ITW, Up and Away and Terbergh.
Projects and trials will include work in the following areas:
- electric Ground Power Units
- Sustainable Aviation Fuels
- electric passenger coach transportation
- recycling and waste management
- employee carbon-saving initiatives
- supply chain carbon reductions
- aircraft continuous descent approaches
- zero carbon emission aircraft turnarounds
- Airbus NEO aircraft deployment and fleet optimisation
Johan Lundgren, CEO, easyJet, said “At easyJet, we want to play our part to lead the decarbonisation of aviation, so we are delighted to see the results of this successful trial which has create a meaningful reduction in operational emissions by embracing the technology available to us today. The learnings from the Bristol trial will help us shape our sustainability strategy for future operational changes – all of which will help enable easyJet’s transition towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
“Alongside carbon offsetting and flying efficiently with a young, modern fleet, reducing the impact of our airport operations alongside our airport partners is an important component of our decarbonisation pathway while we are supporting the development of zero-emission aircraft for the future of flying.”
Dave Lees, CEO, Bristol Airport said “This is an outstanding achievement by all partners involved. The trial has reduced aircraft turnaround emissions by 97%*. This is another demonstration of how working together, including partners and experts in their field, we are able to create a positive reduction in carbon emissions today. “As an airport we are taking our commitments to address climate change seriously and this trial is only one initiative we are delivering on towards achieving a net zero airport operation by 2030.
“We will continue to work in partnership with easyJet to enable us to develop joint initiatives and projects to contribute towards decarbonising aviation and the creation of green jobs.”
Simon has been writing aviation articles for nearly 10 years and is the senior article writer at Fresh Aviation, with a background in aviation and a commercial pilot Simon knows his stuff in the aviation world. Simon has spoken on BBC Radio, contributed to Bristol Post and has various aviation articles on various websites.