EasyJet to donate hundreds of crew iPads to children living in ‘digital poverty’
A major UK airline is set to repurpose its fleet of crew technology to help bridge a growing divide in classrooms across the country.
In a new nationwide partnership with the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), easyJet, who offer direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to Belfast, Barcelona and more, has confirmed it will donate approximately 500 reconditioned iPads to schools in some of the UK’s most deprived areas.
The move follows research showing that one in five children in the UK is currently ‘digitally excluded,’ lacking the essential technology required for modern education.
The airline’s study revealed that 77% of parents believe a lack of access to technology severely limits their child’s learning, while 46% admit to worrying about their ability to provide the necessary devices.
According to the research, 41% of parents cited the high cost of hardware as the primary barrier.
The donation of 500 iPads aims to put professional-grade tools directly into the hands of those who need them most to complete homework and school assignments.
With the rise of AI, coding, and cybersecurity skills, easyJet’s Chief Technology Officer, Opal Perry, warned that we "risk leaving an entire generation behind" without urgent intervention.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, highlighted that educational success is now intrinsically linked to digital access, noting that "it is often assumed that every child is digitally included, but even creating essays and documents on phones is incredibly difficult.”
EasyJet, which is entering its 30th year, has recently increased its focus on community initiatives, including the donation of retired crew uniforms to those in need.