easyJet shifts net-zero strategy to hydrogen propulsion

UPDATE – For some time now, European low-cost airline easyJet has been championing the development of net-zero aircraft. Initially, it supported full-electric, battery-powered aircraft but this has changed. Now, the carrier is fully behind hydrogen as the best solution to get aviation to net-zero emissions. AirInsight recently spoke to David Morgan, easyJet’s Director of Flight Operations, about the airline’s sustainability strategy. easyJet shifts net-zero strategy to hydrogen propulsion.

First some background. In 2017/2018, easyJet announced a partnership with start-up Wright Electric to support the research and development of the full-electric, 186-seater, Wright 1. In 2019, the airline started collaborating with Airbus on hydrogen aircraft. EasyJet has also teamed up with Rolls-Royce on a two-year study on disruptive technologies to get to low-emission aircraft operations. It also collaborates with Cranfield Aerospace Solutions. And only last month, easyJet announced a partnership with GKN Aerospace on two hydrogen projects: the Swedish H2JET program on direct injection of liquid hydrogen in turbofans, and the UK-run H2GEAR that covers hydrogen fuel cell technology to generate electricity for electric motors.