EcoJet program promises to reduce jet emissions by up to 50%

For years, Bombardier engineers have been designing the business jet of the future in complete secrecy – that is, until the EcoJet program was introduced to the world at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in May 2022. 

The EcoJet has the exciting potential to reduce aircraft emissions by up to 50 per cent through improvements in aerodynamics and propulsion.   

“This is a research platform we have launched to develop the next generation of business jets,” said Benoit Breault, Bombardier’s Director, Research and Technology, during an interview at the show. 

“We are looking at new aerodynamics we call a blended wing body, where we take the fuselage and blend the junction with the wing. The design reduces drag and therefore fuel consumption.” 

The EcoJet also incorporates hybrid propulsion, using a combination of electric and traditional fuel – an area that Breault said has a lot of potential. 

Currently, Bombardier is conducting flight testing using scaled drones equipped with a host of sensors to track performance. The ultimate goal of the EcoJet is to inform the design of the next generation of business aircraft – jets that will have a much smaller environmental impact. 

Breault said he believes that a “sum of technology” – including sustainable aviation fuels, hybrid propulsion and improved aerodynamics – will allow the EcoJet to achieve carbon neutrality and “possibly even better.” 

Since EBACE 2022, the EcoJet program team has continued to test and refine the aircraft’s design.  

Their innovations are further proof of Bombardier’s leadership in sustainable aviation, in keeping with its underlying commitment to be “exceptional by design.”