Improving aircraft technology

Aircraft manufacturers are working to develop quieter, cleaner planes that use less fuel. The twin challenge of climate change and rising oil prices is helping drive change and innovation, so much so that the Director General of International Air Transport Association, Giovanni Bisignani recently set out a bold vision for a ‘zero carbon emission’ aircraft in the next 50 years.

Of course there are many important milestones and improvements that must be made on the way to this ideal but already aircraft manufacturers are developing aircraft that are much more fuel-efficient.

In fact, today’s modern aircraft have seen significant improvements over those from the past. More fuel-efficient, which of course means less impact on the environment, and generating less noise too, these aircraft have taken the first steps to making aviation more sustainable.

According to IATA (which represents some 230 airlines, comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic):

• New aircraft are now 70% more fuel efficient than 40 years ago and 20% more efficient than 10 years ago;
• A further 25% fuel efficiency improvement is being aimed for by 2020;
• Modern aircraft are achieving fuel efficiencies of 3.5 litres per 100 passenger km; and 
• The A380 and B787 aircraft are aiming for 3 litres per 100 passenger km – better than a compact car!

Stansted’s greener fleet
At Stansted, many of these modern aircraft are already in operation – Ryanair and easyJet - Stansted's two biggest operators - have two of the most modern and efficient aircraft fleets in the world. easyJet’s fleet has an average age of 2.7 years and Ryanair reported in 2005 that its fleet had an average aircraft age of 2 years.