EasyJet becomes world’s first airline to participate in Airbus' carbon removal project

“easyJet is a strong advocate of decarbonisation, for its operations and the wider aviation sector,” said Julie Kitcher, executive vice president for communications, sustainability and corporate affairs at Airbus. “This agreement demonstrates the airline’s willingness to extend its environmental commitment through Airbus’ carbon capture offer.”

The Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) technology used by Airbus filters and removes CO2 emissions from the air using high powered extraction fans. 

The technology – which is being developed at the same time as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) – doesn’t directly eliminate the CO2 emissions released by aircraft into the atmosphere, but it extracts an equivalent amount from the air, evening the emissions out.

“Our ultimate aim is to achieve zero carbon emission flying and, as well as investing into important projects like direct air carbon capture technology, we are working with multiple partners – including Airbus – to accelerate the development of zero carbon emission aircraft technology,” said easyJet group markets director Thomas Haagensen. 

As part of the agreement, easyJet has pre-purchased 400,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits that will last between 2026 and 2029.