Easyjet tests weight-saving paintwork for aircraft

Easyjet and its partner Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings have developed a new system that reduces the amount of paint previously required for Easyjet's livery colors. The innovative solution has already been applied to 38 aircraft and will be gradually rolled out to the entire Easyjet fleet, with the airline aiming to complete the changeover by 2030. While the lighter paint has a relatively modest impact per aircraft (27kg weight reduction), when combined with other fuel reduction methods and applied to the entire fleet, this could be another important method of reducing carbon emissions in the industry. Easyjet is implementing one of many initiatives to effectively reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

The 38 Easyjet aircraft that have been coated with the new paint are already saving fuel thanks to their lighter weight and will save 1,296 tons of fuel once rolled out to the entire fleet - a reduction in carbon emissions of 4,095 tons. Easyjet is the first airline in the world to trial the new paint solution with Dublin-based MRO specialist MAAS Aviation, which paints the aircraft at its facility in Maastricht. Lahiru Ranasinghe, Easyjet's Director of Sustainability, said: “Easyjet is constantly researching and developing innovative solutions to reduce the impact of our operations. While this is just a small part of a larger strategy, developing a new lightweight paint with our partners at Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings shows how we are looking at every single part of our operation to find efficiencies that will help us deliver on this mission.” Andrew Richardson, Aviation Sales Manager at Mankiewicz Aviation Coatings, added: “We are delighted to have been Easyjet's chosen paint partner for 15 years and to have worked on this sustainability-focused project. Sustainability and environmental protection are at the heart of Mankiewicz's core values and working closely with Easyjet on this project has been very rewarding.”