Says Some Aircraft Are "Too Dirty to Fly"

On the heels of easyJet receiving its 100th Airbus A319, the airline began calling on European governments to remove almost 700 of the oldest, dirtiest aircraft from Europe's skies by banning any aircraft built before 1990 from operating within the European Union after January 1, 2012.

Citing data from AirCraft Analytical Systems, the carrier says 678 planes in use today were built before 1990. If they were all taken out of service and replaced with the cleanest planes currently available, there would be emissions savings of up to five percent, according to the carrier.

According figures from Airbus, a 1980s-vintage MD-82 generates 21 percent more CO2 per seat than an A319 with equivalent seating; easyJet's data showed the A319 to be 15 percent more efficient per seat than the Boeing 737-300. Boeing claimed recently the upcoming 787-9 Dreamliner will burn 27 percent less fuel per passenger than older-generation A340-300s it is positioned to replace.

The initiative comes as the European aviation industry struggles to show it is taking global warming seriously -- and is advantageous to the low-cost carrier, as well. The average age of easyJet's 130 aircraft is 2.2 years, making it one of the youngest fleets in Europe. Calling for older planes to be scrapped will cost easyJet nothing, according to the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E).

Another British carrier is also making attempts to reduce carbon emissions by aircraft. As ANN reported, Virgin Atlantic CEO Richard Branson has entered into a partnership with Boeing to develop a bio-fuel for jet engines... and both parties believe they can fly a 747 with one engine running on biofuel as early as next year.

"The positive effects of biofuel will hopefully reduce or almost get rid of the airlines' contribution to global warming," said Branson.

Ground testing is scheduled to begin soon. A test flight could actually happen by the end of 2008.

T&E calculates it would take around half of Great Britain's supply of arable land to fuel Virgin Atlantic's fleet on soy- or rapeseed-based biofuels.

"Unlike some issues in aviation which need global agreement -- this could be very straightforward, so there is no excuse for inaction. The vast majority of aircraft flying short-haul routes within Europe are on European-registered airlines which can be covered by a legislative proposal from the European Commission," said Andy Harrison, easyJet Chief Executive Officer.

Carbon offsetting is one of the most popular means to compensate for CO2-generating activities such as flying or driving. In theory, it allows consumers to contribute to projects such as tree planting to offset the environmental impact of their flight or commute.

Although easyJet's ecology-minded posturing is impressive, 'going green' still seems to be focus on the greenbacks. According to the UK Guardian News, the low-cost airline delayed the launch of an offsetting program because of concerns over its cost.

Instead of following common industry practice of engaging companies that utilize common offsetting practices, easyJet says will go it alone by acquiring credits in UN-accredited programs and selling them back to customers.

EasyJet Communications Director, Toby Nicol, said the company had been "shocked" by how much money carbon offsetting firms were charging. "We have been quite surprised at the percentage that the offsetting companies would like to take out of the scheme for administration costs... that was simply too expensive," he said.

Fellow airlines dispute easyJet's claims. A spokeswoman for British Airways, which launched its offsetting program in 2005, said it was "not aware" of offsetting firms charging excessive fees. BA said it uses Climate Care, one of the best known offsetting companies, according to the Guardian.

According to Nicol, "There are a lot of people who have dived into the market who are desperate to make a margin from it. There are too many snake oil salesmen in the business."

FMI: www.easyjet.com