easyJet innovates

Now an annual event, easyJet chose Milan Malpensa to bring together 128 journalists from 14 countries for its Innovation Day last week.  Milan is the airline’s largest base outside Gatwick and the northern terminal (T2) virtually a one airline building.  The strength of the airline can be judged on how busy the (quality) shops and restaurants were.  The airline pointed out that the day could not have been possible without the support of its varied and vital suppliers.

Chief Executive Carolyn McCall hosted a press conference and demonstrations were given of 3D printing parts production, on disruption management, and digital development, easyJet’s version of ‘Internet of Things’.

Star of the occasion, however, was the auto drone, demonstrated in the Lufthansa Technik hangar, donated for the day, which hosted all the presentations (and lunch). 

Developed in conjunction with Blue Bear and Createc, easyJet expects to equip up to 10 bases with the drones by the end of 2016.  These, to a certain extent, eliminate the use of labour intensive specialist vehicles such as cherry pickers when inspectors are required to check for damage, for example, following a lightning strike.   In 30 minutes an aircraft can be checked accurately, perhaps a half day task in the past.   www.easyjet.com

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