easyJet invests in game changing new navigation software (FANS-C), to unlock airspace efficiencies and help boost on-time performance

Future Air Navigation System-C (FANS-C), developed by Airbus, enables the sharing of predicted trajectories between the aircraft and Air Traffic Control (ATC), to give pilots and ATC more precise information to optimise airspace efficiency.

Specifically, FANS-C shares real time aircraft trajectory in four dimensions (3D space + time) between the cockpit and ATC. This helps create better route calculations to reduce fuel consumption and flight delays by making traffic flows more fluid and less congested on high-density routes.

Now rolled out across all of its A320neo and A321neo fleet, easyJet estimates this will lead to significant reductions in both fuel and noise emissions already having saved 334 tonnes of fuel and 1052 tonnes of CO2e through its implementation.

Following completion of the retrofit, easyJet now boasts the largest fleet with FANS-C technology equipped worldwide.

easyJet has now completed the retrofit of FANS-C on 54 of its A320 and A321 neo family aircraft, with new planes rolling off Airbus’ Final Assembly Line coming with this state-of-the-art technology equipped as standard.

FANS-C, which is essentially a traffic management software, enables pilots and air traffic controllers to collaborate more seamlessly by enhancing their speed of communication, optimising trajectories in-flight and making aircraft speeds easier to manage during all phases of the flight.

With European airspace becoming increasingly congested, delays have become commonplace. FANS-C addresses this by broadcasting precise aircraft trajectories to ATC in a flexible, reliable, and secure manner, enhancing predictability, reducing holding patterns, accelerating clearances, and enabling more on-time landings.

Speaking on the milestone, David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, said:

“Technologies like FANS-C are not only essential for the modernisation of airspace, they will be critical in helping deliver meaningful reductions in fuel, carbon emissions and noise pollution.

“To maximise the potential of these technologies, it’s critical that airspace reform is finally delivered, and this means more direct routes to help reduce congestion and delays. The UK government has taken positive steps to redesign UK airspace – we now need those plans delivered swiftly here and across Europe so we can properly harness these technologies and capitalise on the environmental benefits they will deliver"

To date, since its implementation in 2019, FANS-C has saved easyJet 1052 tonnes of CO2e and 334 tonnes of fuel realised over Eurocontrol’s Maastricht Upper Area Control (MUAC) region, with more savings expected as other ANSPs upgrade their ATC ground control systems – which will be mandatory by 2028 in the EU.

Since launching its roadmap to reduce and decarbonise its environmental impact in 2022, the airline continues to invest in various operational efficiencies to help lower its impact both in the air and on the ground.

Notes to editors:

Fast facts on how FANS-C works:

Step 1 – Connection Set up

Before the flight starts cruising, the pilots log in to a special system in the cockpit – in this case Airbus’ FANS-C software. (Similar to signing into a Wi-Fi network when you desperately need to connect to the internet whilst waiting for your flight at the airport)
The aircraft then connects to air traffic control, either by radio signals or satellite

Step 2 – Texting with ATC (Message exchange)

Instead of talking over busy radios when the channels are congested, ATC can alternatively send the pilots text instructions, for example: “Climb to 36,000 feet”
Pilots can then tap a button to reply or confirm the instruction throughout their journey

Step 3 – Auto updates

The plane automatically sends updates to ATC to share its location, altitude or route (Similar to turning on location sharing on your phone so that you don’t lose each other in the airport whilst wandering off to different shops)

The Advantages and benefits:

Cuts down radio chatter and waiting for your turn to speak to ATC as a result of congested communications channels
Avoids misunderstandings over radio
Helps the flight run on time and more smoothly, especially over busy European Airspace.

About easyJet

easyJet is one of Europe’s largest airlines offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe’s primary airports with great value fares and friendly service. easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 100 million passengers in 2024. The airline has over 340 aircraft flying on over 1,000 routes to more than 160 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in nine countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035, validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and is the number 1 ESG rated airline in Europe by Sustainalytics, MSCI and CDP.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers. In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.