In a significant stride towards eco-conscious aviation, the UK is set to welcome its first green airline, featuring electric-powered jets and exclusively vegan in-flight meals. This revolutionary venture is positioned at the forefront of sustainable air travel.
Slated for takeoff early next year, the inaugural 19-seater EcoJet embarks on a pioneering journey, with the initial route spanning from Edinburgh to Southampton. But the vision extends further. A second phase anticipates a 70-seater aircraft, aiming to expand its footprint across Europe, marking the advent of Britain’s first airline powered entirely by renewable energy.
A noteworthy aspect of EcoJet’s model is its environmental stewardship. The jets are not new builds, but rather re-purposed existing planes, a move expected to save an estimated 90,000 tonnes of carbon annually. Onboard, passengers will enjoy plant-based meals, a step towards promoting sustainable eating practices, even at cruising altitudes.
In an industry-first, EcoJet is eschewing single-use plastics, underlining its commitment to mitigating the airline industry’s environmental footprint. Furthermore, all crew members will sport environmentally-friendly uniforms, ensuring every facet of the airline’s operations aligns with its green vision.
At launch, the airline’s operations will run on kerosene-based fuel, a necessity during the transition phase. However, a year post-launch, these jets will be retrofitted with engines capable of converting green hydrogen into electricity, positioning EcoJet as a leader in emission-free air travel.
The only by-product of these green aircraft? Water, captured and released back into the atmosphere, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
The brainchild behind EcoJet is green energy mogul Dale Vince, founder of Ectrocity, the UK’s first green energy company. Vince, also the chairman of Forest Green Rovers, known as the world’s greenest football club, expressed, “The question of how to create sustainable air travel has plagued the green movement for decades. EcoJet represents the most significant step towards a solution to date. Flights free of CO2 emissions, powered by renewable energy, will allow us to explore our incredible world without harming it for the first time.”
The anticipated launch of EcoJet introduces a compelling chapter in the narrative of sustainable air travel, promising to challenge the status quo and offering a new model for the aviation industry to aspire to.