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Low-cost goes green - 15 June 2007

The huge increase in the amount and choice in the European airline industry has been one of the major driving forces behind the overseas property boom. Yesterday, easyJet made perhaps the boldest and clearest move of any low-cost airline to assert their environmental credentials.

The launch of the easyJet ecoJet concept sees the original budget airline swap the lurid orange of its cabins for as firmly green outlook. This new aircraft design is claimed to save up to 50 per cent in fuel costs over the current latest generation of short-haul aircraft through a combination of more frugal engines, lighter construction materials and anticipated improvements in air traffic control technology.

Unveiled in London on Thursday by easyJet Chief Executive Andy Harrison, the ecoJet is also claimed to be up to 25 per cent quieter than most of the aircraft currently in service above Europe due to it’s use of ‘open rotor’ engines mounted above the tail. The concept has been developed by aeronautical engineers through discussions with both Boeing and Airbus over the technologies that are likely to feature in the next generation of passenger aircraft.

Commenting on the launch, Andy Harrison said, “The aviation industry has an excellent record in reducing the environmental footprint of aircraft. Today’s aircraft are typically 70% cleaner and 75% quieter than their 1960s counterparts. Now we are planning the next generation that will help towards taking the plane out of the emissions equation.”

The common perception among the public (and they may not be entirely wrong) is that many of the low-cost carriers will resort to almost any tactics in the pursuits of passengers and profits – a situation not aided by allegations over safety, working hours and airport practices.

Not only is it now far easier to get to the quieter corners of the countries we love to visit and where many people have bought second homes, low-cost airlines have fundamentally changed the way we plan and take our holidays by promoting independent travel and supplying the rental market for holiday homes overseas.

 

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