easyJet adopts Apu-Zero project at Malpensa

Following a successful trial, easyJet will permanently implement the APU-ZERO Project at Milan Malpensa Airport, eliminating the use of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) during the turnaround. This initiative, tested in July 2024 on 57 aircraft operating from Terminal 2, has made it possible to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, while improving ground comfort for passengers and crew.

 

APUs, traditionally used to power the aircraft's electricity and air conditioning while it is stationary at the gate, generate high fuel consumption and contribute to noise and air pollution. To overcome this issue, easyJet (in collaboration with TCR, Guinault, Menzies and SEA) replaced APUs with Pre-Conditioned Air Units (PCAs), a more sustainable and efficient solution.

 

 

The PCAs, connected to Fixed Shore Electrical Power (FEGP), ensure aircraft air conditioning without direct emissions, instantly reducing noise and fuel consumption. Following the successful trial, easyJet plans to install 16 PCA units at Malpensa, with the first six arriving this month, followed by six more in April and four in May. Thanks to the implementation of this technology, the airline estimates an annual saving of 1,115.4 tons of fuel, equivalent to 3,636 tons of CO₂ less.

 

Since the launch of its roadmap for decarbonising operations in 2022, easyJet has continued to invest in innovations to reduce its environmental impact, both on the ground and in the air. In 2024, the company achieved its best ever result in terms of carbon intensity per passenger, with an improvement of 5.6% compared to 2019, approaching the Net Zero goal. The permanent adoption of the APU-ZERO Project at Malpensa represents a further step forward in making aviation more sustainable, improving operational efficiency and passenger comfort.