easyJet partners with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions

The aim is to understand how the adoption of zero-carbon technologies could integrate with an airline operation for future introduction of the technology

easyJet partners with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions
X

easyJet, Europe's leading airline announces its partnership with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) to support the development of its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for commercial aircraft.

This partnership is a part of the airline's ambition to de-carbonise aviation, said the official release.

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is developing its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for an existing 9-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, which is planned to be flying by 2023.

The purpose of partnering with easyJet is to understand how the adoption of zero-carbon technologies could integrate with an airline operation for future introduction of the technology.

David Morgan, Director of Flight Operations, easyJet said, "We know that technology is a key driver to achieve our decarbonisation targets with hydrogen propulsion a frontrunner for short-haul airlines like easyJet. We are dedicated to working with industry leading partners to support the development of these promising new technologies and we look forward collaborating with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to support bringing this technology to maturity as early as possible."

easyJet will support Cranfield Aerospace Solutions on the project, providing an airline operator's perspective on the development of hydrogen propulsion and internal expertise, to assist in the development of this technology for commercial aviation.

Paul Hutton, chief executive officer, CAeS said,"CAeS is committed to ensuring the wide-spread adoption of zero-emissions aircraft and for this to succeed, the solutions must be commercially viable. Our 9-seat hydrogen fuel cell powered B-N Islander development is a vital first step in our journey to design and manufacture larger, longer range, regional aircraft between 19 and 100 seats. To have easyJet come with us on this journey is a great example of how organisations large and small must come together to secure the future of our industry and the planet."

Championing the development of a zero-emission aircraft to de-carbonise aviation has long been a focus for easyJet and the airline is working with partners across the industry like Cranfield, as well as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Wright Electric, to accelerate the development of zero-emission technologies and supporting infrastructure. The airline is optimistic that it could begin flying customers on planes powered by hydrogen-combustion, hydrogen-electric or a hybrid of both by the mid to late-2030s.

In November, the airline announced that it has joined Race to Zero, a global UN-backed campaign to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. In joining Race to Zero, the airline is committing to set an interim science-based target for 2035 as well as to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, of which technology for zero-emissions flying will play an important part.

Tags:
Read Full Article
Next Story
Share it