easyJet has become the first airline partner of the Iris programme to operate a commercial flight using the initiative’s next-generation air traffic management technology.
The Iris initiative, led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and global communications company Viasat, will deliver ‘faster and more reliable satellite communications between aircraft and the ground’: helping air traffic controller sand pilots to achieve further operational efficiencies. They will achieve this by calculating the shortest available routes, cruising at optimum altitudes, and using continuous climb and descent paths.
The EASA-certified Iris service provider ESSP has involved 15 Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in support of the first commercial flights taking place across Europe this year, with up to 11 easyJet A320neo aircraft participating.
Achieving shorter flight times (and therefore a reduction in fuel burn) will be critical in reaching the Single European Sky’s ambition of delivering 10% carbon emissions savings from European aviation.
“These first Iris commercial flights put Europe firmly at the forefront of the digitalisation and modernisation of air traffic management,” said Javier Benedicto, acting director of connectivity and secure communications at ESA. “Iris enables tangible benefits to the commercial aviation community and society at large, including reduced emissions of carbon dioxide and fewer delays for passengers through more efficient flight paths”.