easyJet has shared a study conducted by the airline’s Flight Efficiencies team. The study calculated the carbon emissions produced by inefficient airspace, and the results revealed that by modernising airspace corridors, CO2 emissions could be significantly reduced.
“The navigational corridors that we use today have seen little development since they were established in the 1950s and were based around technologies that are obsolete,” said David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer of easyJet. “The airspace routes designed seventy-plus years ago were not intended to handle over two and a half million flights into the UK and carry two hundred and twenty million people every year. In reality, it’s therefore no longer fully fit for purpose.”
The study used AI to monitor all easyJet flights over 12 months to understand the impact of airspace regulations on the efficiency of its operations across Europe. The results showed that the outdated airspace structure increased CO2 emissions by 10.62%, equivalent to 663,710 tonnes.
By applying these results to all European aviation, the airline estimates that 18 million tonnes of CO2 could be eliminated every year if the airspace structure changes. The study also revealed that the key area of concern for emissions is terminal airspace, especially during descent. The countries with the greatest need for improvement are the UK, Italy, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
The Key Areas for Inefficiencies
Experts who analysed the data found main areas of concern for airspace-related carbon emissions. The first is climb, with London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, Geneva, Naples, and Paris Charles de Gaulle having the least efficient departures. To counter this, redesigns will support Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) to allow aircraft to reach cruising altitude more efficiently.
Another area is cruise, with Italy, the UK, France and Spain experiencing the most issues with outdated procedures, routing, and restricted airspace flexibility. Hopes to expand Cross-Border Free Route Airspace (FRA) Operations are expected to assist in more direct routing and reduced fuel burn.
Finally, easyJet identified descent as a problem, with the biggest concerns in the UK, Italy, Switzerland, and France. Arrival procedures result in longer flight times and more fuel consumption.
Arrivals in London Luton and Milan Malpensa have been flagged as especially inefficient, approximately 10 minutes longer than planned. To improve this, easyJet has started redesigning arrival procedures to focus on reducing track miles and implementing Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) as solutions. In October 2023, it implemented a fleet-wide retrofit of Airbus’s Descent Optimisation Profile technology, with fuel savings expected of up to 1% per year.
UK Airspace Concerns
easyJet’s analysis revealed issues across Europe. However, the most inefficient airspace was in the United Kingdom, with seven of the 10 least efficient routes occurring inbound to London Gatwick. The Southeast of the UK poses significant problems due to high demand and capacity regulations. The new Labour Government has pledged to modernise UK airspace.
“We have released far too much carbon into our atmosphere. […] We can all enjoy quicker, quieter, cleaner flights that are better for our people and better for our planet,” said Mike Kane MP, Aviation Minister. “easyJet’s modelling shows how a modernised airspace will help ease delays, support decarbonisation and reduce noise – all supporting this Government’s plan to boost economic growth.”
Proposed Solutions
In response to these results, easyJet has outlined the steps it recommends to reduce CO2 emissions. The airline plans to collaborate with countries, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and airports to discuss how these airspace corridors and regulations can be modernised and highlights the need to implement FRA, redesign Standard Terminal Routes (STARs) and Transitions, and introduce Required Navigation Performance with Authorisation Required (RNP-AR) approaches at more airports. These solutions are already in place in some regions, for example, Scandinavia, with positive results in reduced noise pollution and environmental impact.
“Airspace modernisation is the quickest and most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions, but the process is being shackled by needless bureaucracy,” said Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet. “This can’t be kicked down the road any further. If we’re serious about achieving net zero, policymakers and regulators need to come together to find a route to unlock these significant gains, and now.”
Photo: easyJet
