Easyjet has begun using automated drones to carry out safety inspections on its aircraft, the airline has announced.

At an event at Milan’s Malpensa airport, the UK-based budget airline said a test inspection on an aircraft had been completed by one of the unmanned vehicles, and that they planned to bring drones into service across their engineering bases in Europe over the coming year.

The airline said that the implementation of the technology would help reduce the number of hours an aircraft was out of service due to inspections taking place –  which are routinely done after events such as lightning strikes.

Ian Davies, Easyjet’s head of engineering said: “The use of these emerging technologies frees up our engineering and digital teams to enable them to undertake more skilled tasks, keeping our costs down which in turn keeps our fares low, helps minimise delays and ensures that we maintain our industry leading punctuality for our passengers.

“Safety is our number-one priority and so all of these new technologies will be applied by our experienced engineering and flight crew to ensure our leading safety record is maintained.”

As well as drones, Easyjet also announced that it will begin trialling the use of 3D printing to replace parts within the cabins of their aircraft. The trial will be used to provide replacement parts such as arm rests, with the airline adding the aim was to reduce the time needed to fit replacements. Easyjet also confirmed that 3D printers would be used to provide fuel nozzles and fan blades for their next generation of jet engines, which the airline currently has on order.

Easyjet chief executive Carolyn McCall said: “Easyjet has always been pioneering. We revolutionised travel in Europe enabling people to fly to more places more cheaply than before. From our birth almost 20 years ago we have innovated from selling through the web and more recent moves like introducing allocated seating.”