Partnering with TCR, Guinault and Menzies Aviation, and cooperating with SEA Milan Airports, easyJet traded in the APU for electric and hybrid PCA units.
The PCA connects to the airport’s Fixed Electrical Ground Power (FEGP) via the gate, cutting noise and fuel burn from APUs while providing filtered and conditioned air to passengers and crew during the boarding and deboarding process.
Following the trial on 57 aircraft at Malpensa Terminal 2, which is fully operated by easyJet, saw a reduction in fuel use and carbon emissions.
easyJet estimates it will make an annual fuel saving of 1,115 tonnes, the equivalent of around 3,600 tonnes of CO2.
Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, said: “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.”
Katy Reid, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at Menzies Aviation, said: “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.”
Kristof Philips, CEO of Airport Solutions at TCR, added: “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.”
easyJet will deploy 16 PCA units at Malpensa with six entering service this month, six more next month and the final four being added in May.
