It is today that Airbus performed the first long-haul demonstration of formation flight in general air traffic (GAT) regulated transatlantic airspace with two A350 aircrafts flying at three kilometers apart from Toulouse to Montreal.

“ADM Aéroports de Montréal is proud to join Airbus in welcoming to Montreal and the YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport site A350 aircraft which have made the very first transatlantic crossings using this promising new procedure. This is a decisive step forward which will have a concrete impact on the reduction of aircraft GHG emissions. It goes without saying that sustainable innovation can achieve great things and help propel the airline industry towards an even cleaner and greener future,” said Philippe Rainville, President and CEO, ADM Aéroports de Montréal.

Launched in 2019, fello’fly is a flight demonstrator project hosted within Airbus UpNext using biomimicry (the design and production of materials, structures and systems inspired by nature).

Thanks to the flight control systems developed by Airbus, the follower aircraft is safely positioned in the wake updraft of the leader aircraft allowing it to reduce engine thrust and reduce fuel consumption.

Over 6 tons of CO2 emissions were saved on the trip, confirming the potential for more than a 5% fuel saving on long-haul flights.

Tomorrow, at 12 p.m. (local time), the planes will take off for Toulouse.

To read the press release, click here.