EasyJet is to work with aviation tech firm Cranfield Aerospace Solutions on the development of zero emission aircraft powered by a hydrogen fuel system.
Cranfield is developing its hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system for an existing nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, which is planned to start flying using the technology by 2023.
EasyJet will now work with Cranfield Aeropsace on the project by providing an airline¡¯s perspective on how the system can eventually be developed for commercial aviation.
David Morgan, director of flight operations at 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 to collaborating with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions to support bringing this technology to maturity as early as possible.¡±?
EasyJet said it was ¡°optimistic¡± that it could begin flying customers on aircraft powered by hydrogen-combustion, hydrogen-electric or a hybrid of both technologies by the mid to late-2030s.?
Paul Hutton, CEO of Cranfield Aerospace, added: ¡°We are delighted to be working with easyJet which, as Europe¡¯s leading airline, is ideally placed to help shape our development with the end user in mind.?
¡°Our nine-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.¡±
EasyJet last year joined the UN-backed Race to Zero campaign aimed at achieving net-zero carbon emission by 2050 at the latest.