EasyJet says it will become first major carrier to operate net-zero-carbon flights

European Airline easyJet on Tuesday announced it will be the first major carrier to operate net-zero-carbon flights by offsetting carbon emissions from the fuel used in its flights. 

The company will do the offsetting through initiatives including forestry and renewable and community-based projects, it said.

{mosads}Carbon offsetting is an interim measure while new technologies are developing, an easyJet statement said, adding that it will also support other sustainability technology. 

Johan Lundgren, the CEO of easyJet emphasized in a statement that “climate change is an issue for all of us.”

“At easyJet we are tackling this challenge head on by choosing to offset the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all of our flights starting today. In doing so we are committing to operating net-zero carbon flights across our network – a world first by any major airline,” Lundgren said. 

“We acknowledge that offsetting is only an interim measure until other technologies become available to radically reduce the carbon emissions of flying, but we want to take action on carbon now,” he added. 

Other airlines including Delta and jetBlue have also taken measures to offset at least some of their carbon emissions.