A new system that helps to predict aircraft faults before they occur to prevent delays and cancellations is to be deployed by easyJet.
The UK budget carrier and Airbus have been working for two years to identify the airline’s top 100 technical issues.
This has resulted in a bespoke predictive maintenance platform for the airline.
The Skywise programme can help to predict technical issues by allowing engineers to intervene early and replace parts during routine maintenance before the component causes any issues thereby preventing delays.
EasyJet has been trialing the platform on 85 aircraft in its fleet since October.
Three specific technical issues were focussed on which has resulted in removing 14 components before an issue could have occurred.
This has meant more than 2,000 passenger journeys have operated on schedule that would otherwise have been disrupted – potentially incurring overnight delays, according to the airline.
Airbus unveiled the Skywise aviation data platform at the Paris Air Show. The manufacturer aims to make it the single platform of reference used by airlines to improve their operational performance, business results and to support their own digital transformation.
EasyJet chief executive, Carolyn McCall, said: “Over two years our engineers and IT team have been working very closely with Airbus to build the capability to capture the data created by the aircraft systems to try and help minimise and prevent delays.
“Through this work we have managed to identify the most frequent 100 aircraft faults that cause disruption to our passengers and have been working out how to use the data to detect these faults as they develop.
“Punctuality is important to our customers and so we want to do all possible to minimise disruption from technical events. Prognosis systems like the Airbus Skywise platform can really transform the way that we maintain our aircraft.
“The data obtained enables us to predict potential issues before they arise and start troubleshooting before the aircraft even lands which could help move us closer to our goal of eliminating technical delays.”
Airbus chief executive Tom Enders added: “We are really pleased to have collaborated closely with easyJet over the past two years. EasyJet is well known for its innovative approach and our joint predictive maintenance trial has shown very tangible results which will help to further optimise the reliability of easyJet’s fleet.
“I look forward to our continued partnership and the results the new Skywise platform is set to deliver.”
EasyJet operates Europe’s largest and the world’s fourth largest Airbus single-aisle fleet – currently comprising 272 aircraft – and has a further 157 on order.
Royal Mail chief executive, Moya Greene, is to become a non-executive director of easyJet from September 1.
In other changes, François Rubichon will be stepping down as non-executive director on July 22 following completion of three years on the board and Keith Hamill will retire as a non-executive Director on July 31 after more than eight years.
The airline’s chairman John Barton said: “I am delighted that Moya will be joining the Board. Her logistics and transport background, strategic awareness and FTSE100 CEO experience will further strengthen the diverse mix of expertise and experience on the board.”