Aviation firm Jet2 has announced plans to cut emissions from its ground operations with more than half of its owned ground service equipment (GSE) now electrified.
The leisure airline has also detailed a clear roadmap to reach emission reductions of 99% from its owned GSE by 2035. The result of these actions means less diesel, less noise and improved local air quality, it said.
Electrification of ground operations vehicles is one part of Jet2’s Sustainability Strategy, which covers three pillars: ‘In the Air’, ‘On The Ground’ and ‘In Resort’. A key component of the On The Ground pillar includes work to reduce the airside carbon footprint, through the introduction of all-electric crew buses and ground handling equipment.
As a result of this electrification programme, several hundred vehicles and pieces of GSE which include belt loaders, baggage tractors, pushback tractors, ground power units, steps, high-loaders, airside vans & cars, customer buses, and crew buses have now been converted to an electric fuel supply.
In addition, a company-wide electric car salary-exchange scheme has been launched enabling Jet2 colleagues to switch to electric vehicles.
Overall, its sustainability strategy plans to be net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with a milestone of 35% reduction in carbon intensity by 2035.
It includes a climate transition plan, focused on existing technologies and tangible actions that can be taken currently, aiming to reduce carbon emissions per revenue paying passenger kilometre (gCO2/RPK) by 35% in 2035 compared to 2019 (43.55gCO2/RPK in 2035 vs. 67gCO2/RPK in 2019).
The firm’s 155 new Airbus A321neo aircraft also reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% and are 50% quieter compared to the aircraft they are replacing.
Plans also include incorporating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its operations, more renewable energy across its operations, including roof-mounted solar, and launching and expanding its sustainable hotels collection, aiming for 3,000 hotels by 2035.
Paul Southall, Head of Sustainability at Jet2, said:
“Our sustainability strategy is all about making tangible changes where they matter the most, and embracing the benefits of EV is part of that.
“Electrifying the GSE that supports every turnaround, switching our crew transport to electric vehicles, and helping colleagues drive electric are real steps that reduce carbon, cut ramp noise and improve air quality.”
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