easyJet has taken to the skies with Iris, the ground-breaking next generation air traffic communication system designed to enable airspace optimization to reduce congestion, delays and emissions.
On Monday (January 29, 2024) easyJet announced that they have become the first airline partner for the Iris program, an initiative led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Viasat, which uses the latest generation satellite technology to help modernize air traffic management (ATM). Iris service provider ESSP has involved 15 leading Air Navigation Service Providers in support of the first commercial flights across Europe this year, with up to 11 easyJet Airbus A320neos taking part. This is a European first, putting the Single European Skies initiative into action.
In Monday’s announcement, easyJet’s Director of Operations & Navigation, Hugh McConnellogue, said,
“More efficient use of airspace is a critical way we can tackle the industry’s emissions right now. Adopting Iris technology on these aircraft will enable easyJet to fly more directly and efficiently, thereby reducing carbon emissions as well as enhancing our on time performance – which in turn improves our customers’ experiences. We’re thrilled to be paving the way in this area whilst working towards our goal to achieve our net-zero ambitions by 2050, as outlined in our roadmap.”
Also commenting on the launch of Iris, ESSP’s Chief Executive Officer, Charlotte Neyret, said,
“These first commercial flights are bringing to reality a decade of both vision and investment in this new datalink communication solution to achieve safer and greener aviation. ESSP is delighted to operate this moment of synchronisation between all stakeholders, from industry to airlines, with the proactive contribution of numerous Air Navigation Service Providers. Thanks to all partners, ESSP is proud to provide Iris Satcom datalink service to Europe, as well as to initiate the Iris flights with a key airline such as easyJet. Iris technology allows the development of new environmentally friendly routes, which will improve ATC management, reduce fuel costs and lead to the deployment of more efficient air operations.”
Javier Benedicto, ESA’s Acting Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, said,
“These first Iris commercial flights put Europe firmly at the forefront of the digitalisation and modernisation of Air Traffic Management. 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.
“As a follow on of Iris, Iris global, which was launched in 2022, aims to extend the benefit of Iris beyond Europe. This will be achieved through geographical expansion, including Asia, the USA, the Middle East and Australia, and through service expansions by adding new ICAO aviation standards as well as new satellite-based communication solutions for supporting future air traffic management of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems. We are very proud to share this historic milestone for commercial aviation with the ESA Member States that have funded Iris activities and that will continue to support it in the future.”
Joel Klooster, Viasat’s SVP – Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), added,
“We are thrilled to see Iris flying with a leading airline such as easyJet, a crucial step on our pathway to reducing emissions and easing congestion in European skies. We want to thank all the partners who played a part in achieving this long-term goal, and we look forward to seeing the results of these first commercial flights. Even more than that, we look ahead to the industry reaping the rewards of this innovation well into the future – and to passengers and airlines alike benefitting immensely.”
With the implementation of Iris, easyJet will be able to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions thanks to airspace optimization, thereby accelerating the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The efficient use of airspace is currently one of the most achievable source of carbon reductions, as more direct flight paths lead to shorter flying times, resulting in lower fuel burn and emissions. Achieving this is critical to reaching the Single European Sky’s ATM Research (SESAR’s) ambition to deliver a 10 percent carbon emissions savings from European aviation.
Iris is powered by Viasat’s award-winning SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S) connectivity platform, paving the way for multilink data link communications, enabling new ATM functionalities. ESA, along with European stakeholders, including ICAO, have coordinated to ensure Iris is fully compliant with European and global aviation needs. To this end, ESA has set up a European industrial consortium of over 20 companies, with Viasat, which recently acquired Inmarsat, as a primary contractor. Iris has been fully developed and certified for implementation an Airbus A320 and A330 Family aircraft, and will allow airlines to avoid holding patterns, calculate the shortest available routes and optimum altitudes, while benefitting from continuous climb and descent pathways.
Viasat and ESA signed a new contract in 2022 to globalize the Iris program, with Iris Global focusing on the technologies and certification required to share the congestion, fuel savings, and reduced emission benefits with regions beyond Europe.
Source: easyJet