The UK's largest airline, easyJet, today announced that it is the first commercial airline to trial a revolutionary nano-technology coating on its aircraft aimed at reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.
The ultra-thin coating, already used on US military aircraft, is a polymer that cross links and bonds to the paint surface and only adds an estimated 4oz to the weight of the aircraft.
The micron-thick layer creates a perfectly smooth finish and reduces the build up of debris on the aircraft's structure, leading edges and other surfaces to reduce drag across the surface of the aircraft.
The manufacturer of the coating estimate that it could reduce easyJet's fuel consumption by 1-2%. The airline has coated eight aircraft and will compare their fuel consumption with the rest of the fleet during a 12 month trial period.
An easyJet passenger is responsible for 22% fewer emissions than a passenger on a traditional airline, when they fly the same route and use the same type of plane.
Since its launch in 1995, easyJet says it has always strived to improve its efficiency to keep its costs down. Passengers benefit through low fares and a reduced carbon footprint.
This is achieved through a range of investments and innovations. easyJet's fleet of 194 aircraft, many with Tech Insertion engines, is one of the youngest in Europe averaging less than four years old.
Weight onboard is reduced with light-weight carpets and the airline is currently looking at lighter seats in the cabin.
Carolyn McCall easyJet's CEO said: "easyJet is really pleased about the trial with the special coating on our aircraft. Efficiency is in easyJet's DNA. If we can find new ways of reducing the amount of fuel used by our aircraft we can pass the benefits onto our passengers by offering them low fares and a lower carbon footprint.
“All airlines should be incentivised to reduce the environmental impact of their operations which is why we welcome the government's commitment to move from APD to a fairer, greener per plane tax. We look forward to seeing the details of their proposal."
Paul Booker, Managing Director at ooops!, which commercially markets, distributes and applies the 'tripleO' high-performance coating in the UK, said: ”easyJet has announced the use of tripleO on its planes for a range of benefits, not least fuel savings and carbon footprint reduction.
“tripleO established thirty-years ago, has a twenty-year heritage as a surface protectant for the US military, but it has only recently been made commercially available. It was re-engineered in 2000 to incorporate innovative nano-technology into the solution to enhance its performance and ‘cross link and bond’ to any surface.”
He added: “The results from our ongoing trials for aero engines and aircraft are impressive. Aircraft fuel consumption is reduced by significant values, debris build up is at an absolute minimum and tripleO provides protective coatings properties that inhibit corrosion ingression on surfaces.
“But most significantly, laboratory testing demonstrates a reduction in drag of up to 39%, which correlates with a direct fuel saving and overall reduction in carbon footprint. It is this which has made tripleO very attractive to commercial airlines such as easyJet, who are seeking ways of saving on fuel costs and reducing emissions in such a heavily regulated industry.”
ahmed hassan, sudan around 5 months, 3 weeks ago