In an ambitious step towards achieving net zero emissions by 2050, Easyjet unveiled initial progress on its Net Zero roadmap on Wednesday. Since launching the strategy in 2022, the airline has been working hard to minimise its carbon footprint and put air travel on a more environmentally friendly footing.

The central element of this plan is the partnership with US start-up JetZero, which is focused on developing a groundbreaking Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft. These new aircraft designs could not only reduce fuel consumption by up to 50%, but also serve as a platform for hydrogen propulsion systems that could completely eliminate CO2 emissions in the future.

The vision of a zero-emission future

Easyjet is pursuing a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy that includes not only the use of new technologies but also profound changes in operations. The partnership with JetZero is building on the development of the Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft, which promises significant advances in aviation technology through its innovative design. The BWB design approach combines the fuselage and wing into a single, aerodynamically optimised unit, which not only reduces drag but also enables more efficient use of energy.

Unlike conventional aircraft concepts, this design could also be better suited to running on hydrogen. The Blended Wing Body’s design offers improved options for integrating hydrogen tanks without significantly affecting passenger capacity. The US Air Force, NASA and the FAA already support the BWB jet concept, and the first prototypes are expected to hit the market by 2030.

Technology and partnerships

Easyjet brings to the partnership with JetZero not only extensive knowledge of hydrogen propulsion systems, but also operational and technical expertise. The airline has been involved in the development of hydrogen technologies for many years and will now incorporate this experience into the design and construction of the new aircraft.

JetZero is itself supported by US airline Alaska Airlines, which recently invested in the company. This support underlines the growing interest and need to research and implement new, zero-emission technologies in air transport. The Blended Wing Body concept is considered one of the most promising approaches to lead the aviation industry into a more sustainable future.

Public pressure

The urgency and desire for greener air travel is reflected in the results of a survey commissioned by Easyjet. According to the study, conducted in August 2024, 88% of Europeans see zero-emission technologies such as hydrogen-powered aircraft as the best solution to decarbonise air transport. This clearly shows that the public expects a major advance in technology to reduce the environmental impact of aviation without sacrificing the benefits of flying.

Just take advantage of the survey that 77% of respondents are excited about the prospect of zero-emission propulsion technologies and 75% want to travel more sustainably. These results underscore the pressure on the aviation industry to drive innovation while minimizing environmental impact.

Airspace efficiency and technological challenges

In addition to developing new aircraft technologies, Easyjet has also conducted a detailed analysis of European airspace. The study shows that inefficient airspace management leads to a significant increase in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. According to the results, additional inefficiencies in airspace management caused CO2 emissions of approximately 663,710 tonnes annually, highlighting the need for comprehensive airspace reform.

The analysis also found that modernising airspace has the potential to save up to 18 million tonnes of CO2 per year. In lower airspace in particular, there is potential for improvement through redesigning approach procedures and introducing new technologies such as RNP-AR approaches (Required Navigation Performance with Authorisation Required), which are already being used successfully in Scandinavia.

Steps towards the future

Easyjet has already formulated concrete measures to improve airspace efficiency. These include focusing on the south-western airspace in the UK and working with individual countries and authorities in Europe to develop more efficient flight routes. The airline is relying on the integration of AI technologies to improve flight route planning and reduce environmental impact.

The steps ahead will require close collaboration between airlines, governments and regulators to ensure that technological innovation and infrastructure improvements go hand in hand. David Morgan, COO of Easyjet, stresses the need for policy and infrastructure support to keep pace with advances in technology to minimise the environmental impact of aviation and secure the benefits of flying for future generations.

The Easyjet and JetZero initiatives mark a significant step forward in the aviation industry towards a zero-emissions future. Developments in aircraft technology and the necessary modernisation of airspace are crucial to reducing environmental impacts and achieving climate goals. The partnership between Easyjet and JetZero could represent a turning point in aviation history and shows how innovative approaches and technological advances can help meet the challenges of decarbonisation.