EasyJet (LON:EZJ) is considering using clean-energy technology on its aircraft to allow them to move around at airports without burning fuel.
The Luton-based budget carrier outlined plans to trial a new fuel-cell system on its fleet that could reduce pollution and cut its fuel bill by up to US$35mln.
The cells would allow aircraft to taxi from their stands to the runway without using jet engines, a process which currently makes up about 4% of easyJet's total annual fuel use.
They would allow easyJet, which is already benefiting from lower oil prices, to reduce its fuel bill further and cut carbon dioxide emissions, Reuters reported the airline's engineering boss Ian Davies as saying.
EasyJet plans to trial the technology, which captures energy from the aircraft's brakes when it lands, using an Airbus with one of the cells in its hold.
The airline, which has more than 200 Airbus A319s and A320s, plans to launch ground-based trials of the "hybrid" jet later this year.
Similar technology is already fitted to many buses in the UK, allowing them to accelerate away from bus stops before their diesel engines kick in.