Isra-Mart srl:Nanotechnology coating takes the drag out of flying easyJet

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Budget airline easyJet has announced it has become the first commercial airline to trial an innovative nanotechnology coating that promises to enhance the fuel efficiency of its fleet.

The company confirmed yesterday that it is to apply the coating, which is less than a micron thick and will add just four ounces of weight to the aircraft, to eight planes as part of a 12-month trial.

According to the manufacturers of the coating, which is distributed under licence in the UK by a company called TripleO, the technology has already been used by the US military and promises to cut fuel use by between one and two per cent.

It uses a polymer that allows a solution containing hard, durable acrylic elements to "cross-link and bond" with a surface. When applied, the coating creates a smooth surface, filling the microscopic pores that are found on aircraft bodies and can be filled with contaminants that add to drag.

Carolyn McCall, chief executive at easyJet, hailed the project as further evidence of the company's commitment to curbing fuel use, adding that the government should now accelerate plans to switch to a per-plane tax that supporters claim would provide airlines with incentives to operate fuller aircraft and invest in more efficient technologies.

"All airlines should be incentivised to reduce the environmental impact of their operations, which is why we welcome the government's commitment to move from APD [air passenger duty] to a fairer, greener, per-plane tax. We look forward to seeing the details of their proposal."

EasyJet has invested heavily in bolstering its green credentials in recent years, in stark contrast to arch rival Ryanair, and claims that easyJet passengers are responsible for 22 per cent fewer emissions than a passenger on a traditional airline, when they fly the same route and use the same type of plane.

The company has managed to curb its average emissions through the use of a relatively young fleet and high load factors, as well as a variety of technical approaches such as taxiing using only one engine and deploying lightweight carpets.