easyJet targets reductions in fuel, carbon emissions and noise following successful ground operations trial at Milan Malpensa Airport

• The APU-ZERO Project saw easyJet turning off the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a gas turbine engine located at the aircraft’s tail section, which provides electrical power and air conditioning when turnarounds are in process.
• The trial saw the APU replaced with a Pre-Conditioning Air Unit (PCA) which uses Fixed Electric Ground Power (FEGP) from the airport to provide heating, cooling air and power to a stationary aircraft’s cabin.
• The trial, conducted in collaboration with TCR, PCA manufacturer Guinault, and handler organisation Menzies Aviation, tested the performance of the PCA units alongside the installed reporting methods. This ensured a consistent cabin temperature, enhanced crew and passenger comfort, and provided clear insights into turnaround performance.
• Following the trial’s success, the mobile PCA solution will be gradually rolled out for use in easyJet’s operations at Milan Malpensa, with full implementation expected by May.
• easyJet estimates the rollout will save ~1,150 tonnes of fuel annually for airline operations at Milan Malpensa Airport, equivalent to ~3,600 tonnes of CO2.*

easyJet is set to permanently roll out of Project APU-ZERO at its Milan Malpensa base following a successful trial at the northern Italian base.

The proof of concept, tested in September 2024, allows easyJet aircraft to switch off its Auxiliary Power Units - a gas turbine located at the tail of the plane.

The APU, one of many essential and intricate parts of a plane not only provides electric power and air conditioning to the aircraft during the turnaround process but also helps to start the engines when the aircraft is taxiing and preparing for take off.

However, when stationary during turnaround, APUs use a considerable amount of fuel which contributes to both noise and carbon emissions on the apron.

To solve this challenge and create a clean and quieter environment on the ground for both staff and passengers - easyJet and its partners TCR, PCA manufacturer Guinault and ground-handling partner Menzies, with the full cooperation of SEA Milan Airports, traded in the APU for electric and hybrid Pre-Conditioning Air Units.

PCAs, a mobile Ground Support Equipment solution connects to the airport’s Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) via the gate, instantly cutting down the noise and fuel burn that came with its predecessor while simultaneously providing filtered and conditioned air to passengers and crew during the boarding and deboarding process.

Following the trial on 57 aircraft operating out of and into Milan Malpensa’s Terminal 2, which is fully operated by easyJet, the airline saw a reduction in fuel use and carbon emissions. The airline estimates it’ll make an annual fuel saving of 1,115 tonnes – equivalent to 3,636 tonnes of Co2.

Speaking on the initiative, Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, said:

“At easyJet we take a holistic approach to reducing our impact in the air and on the ground. This trial, part of our operational efficiencies workstream, resulted in fuel and emissions savings and a reduction in noise, without affecting our operation. This is yet another small but important step that contributes to our broader decarbonisation journey and is an excellent example of an initiative that provides both environmental and business benefits.”

“Following this successful proof of concept with our partners TCR, Guinault and Menzies we hope to replicate this model and deploy this initiative to many other bases that we operate in across our network.”

Katy Reid, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, at Menzies Aviation added:

“It’s fantastic to see this permanent switch to electric-powered Pre-Conditioning Air Units at Milan Malpensa Airport. AGS, Menzies Aviation’s partner at Milan Malpensa, has done us proud once again for adapting to new processes and equipment to deliver seamless operations for easyJet on the ground.

“This also highlights the strength of collaboration between airlines, airports and aviation services to reduce emissions from ground operations during aircraft turns and what can be achieved when partners support each other on their journey to meeting our aligned sustainability goals. The AGS and Menzies electric first approach has resulted in 81% of our motorised GSE fleet being electric at Malpensa Airport"

Kristof Philips, CEO of Airport Solutions at TCR, said:

“The Collaboration between key stakeholders – Airbus, Guinault, easyJet and Menzies has enabled us to develop an integrated solution for actively managing APU usage on the ground.

“Witnessing the substantial reduction in APU runtime not only highlights carbon footprint reductions achieved but also considerable cost savings while supporting our customers in their sustainability journey"

In total, easyJet will be deploying 16 PCA units at Milan Malpensa with six units being added this month and another six in April, while the four remaining units will be added in May.

Since launching its roadmap to decarbonise its operations in 2022, easyJet continues to invest in several operational efficiencies to help lower its impact in both the air and the ground. Just recently easyJet achieved its best-ever per-passenger carbon intensity for 2024 – a 5.6% improvement versus the Net Zero baseline of 2019.

For further information, please contact kundai.musara@easyjet.com

Notes to editors:

 *Calculations based on:  Average APU runtime – Residual APU runtime x 2 = APU savings per turn

About Auxiliary Power Units (APU):

An APU is a small gas turbine engine that provides power to an aircraft when the main engines are not running. As well as providing power to the aircraft, the APU also:

• Starts main engines
• Supplies cooling air to the cabin.
• Provides bleed air for air conditioning and engine starting.
• Provides crank assistance to restart engines.

About Pre-Conditioning Units (PCA):

Pre Air Conditioning Units are mobile Ground Support Equipment that supply conditioned air to aircraft that are parked at the gate. They filter, cool, heat and compress air to maintain a comfortable environment for both passengers and crew. Benefits of PCAs include:

• Saving on fuel – PCAs reduce the need to run an aircraft’s APU to power air conditioning, in turn saving fuel and reducing emissions.
• Reduction in air and noise pollution - Due to the unit being connected to the airport’s central power, as opposed to fuel-powered units or an APU.

About easyJet

easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s primary airports with great value fares and friendly service. easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 100 million passengers in 2024. The airline has over 340 aircraft flying on over 1000 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in nine countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and is the number 1 ESG rated airline in Europe by Sustainalytics, MSCI and CDP.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.

About Menzies Aviation

Menzies Aviation is the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines, with operations on six continents, at more than 300 airports in 65-plus countries, serving more than 4.5 million flights a year and handling over 2.5 million tonnes of cargo.

Supported by a team of over 50,000 highly trained people, the company provides complex and time-critical ground services, including passenger, lounge and ramp services; air cargo services, including handling, warehousing and wholesale freight forwarding; and fuel services, including fuel farm management and into-plane fuelling.

Menzies Aviation is recognised across the industry for delivering the safest, most secure and sustainable services tailored to customers’ needs and is essential to keeping passengers, aircraft and cargo moving, round the clock, every minute of every day.

Menzies Aviation is headquartered in London, and since its founding in 1833, has become the largest aviation services group in the world by number of countries, airports and aircraft turns.

http://www.menziesaviation.com

About TCR

TCR Group is a leading provider of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) solutions, empowering airports, airlines, and ground handlers worldwide to optimise operations efficiently and reliably. Founded on a commitment to innovation and sustainability, TCR specialises in the rental, maintenance, and management of GSE fleets, ensuring clients can access state-of-the-art equipment when and where required. With a global presence spanning over 240 airports and over 110 airport workshops, TCR combines local expertise with international standards to deliver tailored solutions that enhance ground handling efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The company’s dedication to safety, customer satisfaction, and technological advancement has earned it a reputation as a trusted partner in the aviation industry. By fostering long-term partnerships and driving industry innovation, TCR Group continues to set benchmarks for excellence in GSE solutions.

About SEA Group  

SEA Group, located in Italy, manages the Malpensa and Linate airports which are ranked among the first ten airport systems in Europe for volume of traffic, in both the passenger and cargo segments. Find out more at: milanairports.com/it