The partnership will involve a series of trials geared towards achieving net-zero operations at the site and reducing the airline’s overall carbon footprint

Bristol Airport and easyJet have announced a new collaboration with the aim to study a wide range of cutting edge developments and operational efficiencies.

The low-cost carrier will utilise the airport as a test bed to trial and implement the latest technologies and solutions for decarbonising its operations and reducing waste.

It is then hoped that, if successful, easyJet will roll out the schemes across its network of 150 airports in 35 countries.

The projects and trials will include work in areas such as electrical ground power units (GPUs), sustainable aviation fuels, recycling and waste management, employee carbon-saving initiatives and aircraft continuous descent approaches, among others.

Simon Earles, sustainability and corporate affairs director, Bristol Airport, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with easyJet to see how we can continue to work together towards our ambition to achieve net-zero emissions at the airport. By the end of 2021 we will be a carbon neutral airport for emissions under our direct control, exceeding our own target, four years ahead of schedule. Working in partnership with easyJet will enable us to develop joint initiatives and projects to contribute towards decarbonising aviation and the creation of green jobs.”

Jane Ashton, director of sustainability at easyJet, said: “[We] take sustainability seriously, already offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used on all our flights as an interim measure while we continue to champion the development of new technology. This partnership with Bristol Airport is a good example of how we can look at every aspect of our operations, really challenging how we do things by implementing the newest technological solutions across a series of decarbonisation and waste reduction trials over the coming months.”