Easyjet outlines electric future

UK low-cost carrier Easyjet has outlined its electric future together with electric aircraft pioneers, Wright Electric.

Easyjet hopes that the collaboration with US-based Wright Electric will support its goal for short haul flights to be operated by all-electric planes.

Wright Electric has been challenged to build an all-electric commercial passenger jet capable of flying passengers across Easyjet’s UK and European network within a decade.

Furthering its electric vision, the airline is also introducing new electric, towbar-less aircraft tugs and it has announced a partnership with French aerospace company Safran to trial e-taxi hydrogen fuel cell technology that will be implemented in the coming months in what will be a revolutionary zero emissions taxiing system for their aircraft.

Easyjet says it has reduced emissions by over 31% per passenger kilometre since 2000.  It has a carbon emissions target of 72 grams by 2022, which would be a 10% reduction from today’s performance and a 38% improvement from 2000.

In one final “electric” offering, Easyjet has announced it will offer in-flight entertainment for the first time with Global Eagle’s Airtime IFE which offers passengers prime time content on their devices for free.