Faster, more efficient air travel planned for easyJet

Air travel is to become more efficient with new technology aiming to improve air traffic management.

Photo by Damian Kamp on Unsplash

This 'ground-breaking' technology, known as the Iris initiative, will try and reduce fuel usage and cut emissions for easyJet.

As the first airline to partner with the Iris programme, easyJet will add the technology to 11 of its aircraft.

Iris was designed by the European Space Agency and communications company Viasat.

All of the aircraft fitted with Iris will benefit from shared data which aims to reduce holding patterns, find the shortest routes, as well as more efficient climbs and descents.

Hugh McConnellogue, Director of Operations and Navigations at easyJet, said, "More efficient use of airspace is a critical way we can tackle the industry's emissions right now.

"We're thrilled to be pacing the way in this area whilst working towards our goal to achieve our net-zero ambitions by 2050."

Fight times can be reduced with more efficient travel paths, McConnellogue added, "Adopting Iris technology on these aircraft will enable easyJet to fly more directly and efficiently, thereby reducing carbon emissions as well as enhancing our on time performance - which will in turn improve our customers' experiences."

Usage of Iris aims to modernise the air industry with faster and more reliable satellite communications between air and ground.

Joel Klooster, SVP Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) of Viasat, said, "We need to look ahead to the industry reaping the rewards of this innovation well into the future - and to passengers and airlines alike benefiting immensely."