International
. Britain's EasyJet revealed that it has tested nanotechnology-based coatings on eight aircraft in its fleet to make the devices consume fewer amounts of kerosene fuel (between 1% and 2%).
The coating, already used in the U.S. military fleet, is a polymeric material that is applied to the paint of the aircraft, which only adds an estimated 4oz to the weight of the aircraft and aims to limit the accumulation of debris that adheres to the surface, which manages to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft by reducing friction with air in mid-flight.
This special resin is made based on solid and durable particles that create a smooth finish by filling the pores of the applied surface creating a film that prevents the entry of dirt into the device. The company in charge of this application is the European TripleO.
The airline will test for twelve months and then compare results in fuel consumption. "We are very pleased with the trial with the special coating on our fleet. If we can find new ways to reduce fuel costs, we can pass those benefits on to our passengers by offering lower fares and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. All airlines should incentivize reducing the environmental impact of their operations," said Carolyn McCall, CEO of EasyJet.
