NEOM and Volocopter establish joint venture to create the world's first bespoke public eVTOL mobility system

NEOM, the smart and sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia and Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility, have established a joint venture (JV) company to design, implement, and operate the world's first bespoke public vertical mobility system in NEOM. Air taxi and vertical logistics services will be fully integrated with the overall multi-modal and zero-emission public transit system in NEOM. The JV will be the sole operator of initial public transit routes across NEOM, while enabling an open eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) ecosystem for vertical mobility services including logistics, emergency response, and tourism. NEOM has placed a confirmed order of 15 Volocopter aircraft to commence initial flight operations within the next 2-3 years.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Chief Executive Officer at NEOM, said: "In designing cities and urban infrastructure for the 21st century, mobility is at the center of the equation. Through this joint venture with Volocopter, we are demonstrating to the world that NEOM is the ideal region to implement urban air mobility rapidly and create a fully integrated vertical mobility ecosystem. NEOM is on a mission to become a global living lab for future mobility, and we are very excited to see what the future holds as we grow."

The collaboration between NEOM and Volocopter will lead the design and development of a truly three-dimensional public transportation system, advancing the technical, regulatory, and infrastructure solutions for eVTOL operations across NEOM. The JV will offer vertical mobility services as an integral part of NEOM's multi-modal and zero-emissions public mobility system, providing seamless connectivity for passengers and goods.

Aviation industry brings net-zero 2050 commitment to COP26

 New technology aircraft and jet fuel made from waste: the global air transport industry has outlined how to meet its new long-term climate goal during Transport Day events at the UN COP26 in Glasgow. This confirms the commitment of the world's airlines, airports, air traffic management and the makers of aircraft and engines to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in support of the Paris Agreement. Aviation is one of the only sectors to have made such a global commitment.

Analysis detailed in the Waypoint 2050 report outlines credible paths for the air transport sector to reach net-zero carbon. The industry says a mix of new technology including potentially shifting to electricity and hydrogen for some shorter services; improvements in operations and infrastructure; and a transition to sustainable aviation fuel by mid-century would provide a majority of the carbon reductions. Remaining emissions could be captured using carbon removals measures.

Speaking at a COP26 event with the UK Government today, Haldane Dodd, Acting Executive Director of the Air Transport Action Group said: "Aviation has increased its ambition in line with the need for all sectors of the economy to pursue rigorous climate action. Despite having endured the greatest crisis in aviation history, this net-zero 2050 goal shows that our sector has placed climate action as one of its highest priorities."

Air Canada and Carbon Engineering agree to search for commercial opportunities for sustainable aviation fuel.

Air Canada and Carbon Engineering Ltd. have signed an agreement to identify potential opportunities in how CE's proprietary Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, which captures carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, can advance aviation decarbonization. The two Canadian companies plan to explore potential cooperation activities in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), permanent carbon dioxide removal and innovation, including opportunities for Air Canada to purchase SAF utilizing CE's technologies.

E's DAC technology captures CO2 directly out of the atmosphere and can be used to support decarbonization in two significant and complementary ways:

When combined with secure geologic storage, it can permanently remove vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere, providing a tool to eliminate any CO2 emission, from any location and at any moment in time.

Additionally, through integration with CE's AIR TO FUELS™ technology, DAC can be used to produce ultra-low carbon transportation fuels, such as SAF, by combining atmospheric CO2 with clean hydrogen.

"At Air Canada, we are very focused on seeking innovative, long term, sustainable emission reduction solutions as we work towards achieving our absolute midterm GHG net reduction targets by 2030 and our net zero GHG emissions goal by 2050. Our relationship with Carbon Engineering spanning three years has enabled us to learn about their emerging technology advances, SAF production and ecosystem building efforts. We are pleased to officially become the first Canadian airline to work with CE to advance new, transformational technologies towards the commercial viability of SAFs and carbon removal, two significant components to building a long-term, sustainable, global aviation industry," said Amos Kazzaz, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Air Canada.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Collaborating with ZeroAvia to Develop Hydrogen Powertrain for Dornier 228 Zero-Emission Aircraft

 

HAL & ZeroAvia will develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to incorporate a 600KW hydrogen-electric powertrain system into a Dornier 228 aircraft.

HAL intends to offer retrofits to existing Dornier & Hindustan-228 Aircraft and line fit new manufactured Dornier & Hindustan-228 Aircraft.

The aircraft will use the ZeroAvia ZA600, the company's first commercial type powertrain platform, capable of producing up to 600 kW without emissions.

ZeroAvia, the leading innovator in zero-emission aviation, has announced a development collaboration with the Indian state-owned aerospace & defence company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) for a hydrogen-electric powertrain capable of flying the 19 seats Dornier 228 aircraft up to 500 NM.

HAL intends to work with ZeroAvia to develop a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to allow retrofit of existing airframes for both Indian military and worldwide operators. HAL also intends to continue to build new aircraft with additional FAA approval, designated Hindustan-228, creating the opportunity to incorporate ZeroAvia's ZA600 zero-emission engines. Additionally, HAL and ZeroAvia engineers will integrate ZeroAvia's ZA600 hydrogen-electric powertrain into the Dornier 228 airframe. ZeroAvia will work closely with HAL and aircraft regulators during this project to ensure that aircraft meets both safety and operational requirements.

Approximately 270 Dornier 228 aircraft have been manufactured globally, with 242 currently in service. The production line of Do-228 aircraft is operational at HAL, India (Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur, UP, India). 

"HAL is committed to contributing to the protection and better development of the environment. This MoU with ZeroAvia has the potential to pave the way for zero emission regional connectivity.  We are looking forward to steering and supporting sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation in India and the world", says R Madhavan, CMD, HAL.

First A319neo flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel

            Airbus, Dassault Aviation, ONERA, the French Ministry of Transports and Safran have launched the first in-flight study of a single-aisle aircraft running on unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

During the flight test over the Toulouse region on 28 October, one CFM LEAP-1A engine of an Airbus A319neo test aircraft operated on 100% SAF. Initial results from the ground and flight tests are expected in 2022. 

The unblended SAF is provided by Total Energies. It is made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which primarily consists of used cooking oil, as well as other waste fats. HEFA is made of paraffinic hydrocarbons and is free of aromatics and sulfur. Approximately 57 tonnes of SAF will be used for the entire test campaign. It is produced in Normandy close to Le Havre, France. The 100% SAF will also be utilised for compatibility and engine operability studies on the Safran Helicopters Arrano engine used on the Airbus Helicopters H160, which are expected to start in 2022. 

Airbus, in collaboration with DLR, is responsible for characterising and analysing the impact of 100% SAF on the ground and in-flight emissions. Safran focuses on compatibility studies related to the fuel system and engine adaptation for commercial and helicopter aircraft and their optimisation for various types of 100% SAF fuels. Safran will perform LEAP engine ground tests with 100% SAF at its Villaroche facilities later this year to complete the analysis. ONERA is supporting Airbus and Safran in analysing the compatibility of the fuel with aircraft systems and will be in charge of preparing, analysing and interpreting test results for the impact of 100% SAF on emissions and contrail formation. Dassault Aviation is contributing to the material and equipment compatibility studies and verifying 100% SAF biocontamination susceptibility. 

The study – known as VOLCAN (VOL avec Carburants Alternatifs Nouveaux) – contributes to global decarbonisation efforts currently underway across the entire aeronautical industry, and is benefiting from a financing of the France Relance recovery plan, the part thereof dedicated to the decarbonisation of aviation, which is implemented by DGAC under the supervision of Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, French Minister of Transports. The study’s ultimate goal is to promote the large-scale deployment and use of SAF, and certification of 100% SAF for use in single-aisle commercial aircraft and the new generation of business jets. 

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Japan Airlines selects Vertical Aerospace’s VA-X4 from Avolon’s orderbook for ride sharing business

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, and Japan Airlines (‘JAL’), announce a partnership to commercialize zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft in Japan.

 

Avolon, through its investment and innovation affiliate Avolon-e, has formed a strategic partnership with JAL to identify and target local partners and customers, infrastructure requirements, certification, and a range of commercial models to introduce one of the world’s first eVTOL ride sharing businesses in Japan. Through this partnership, JAL will have a right to purchase or lease up to 50 Vertical VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft from Avolon, with the option to purchase or lease up to 50 additional units.

 

Dómhnal Slattery, Avolon CEO, commented: “We continue to identify partners who share the same vision to revolutionise air travel through zero-emissions eVTOL aircraft and shape the future of travel. This latest long-term partnership with JAL aligns us with one of Japan’s leading airlines on their journey to sustainability and to decarbonizing air transport. The VA-X4 will be certified to CAA and EASA’s stringent safety regulations. We believe JAL’s multi-decade experience will prove invaluable as Vertical seeks type certificate validation with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, demonstrating that the VA-X4 will be a global eVTOL, unconstrained by borders.”

 

Tomohiro Nishihata, Managing Executive Officer of Japan Airlines, commented: “Today’s announcement represents an important step towards the social implementation of Air Taxi at Osaka Kansai EXPO in 2025. Our partnership with Avolon, lays out the pathway towards achieving Air Mobility revolution in Japan. The introduction of VA-X4 will also contribute to reduce our environmental impact and we fundamentally believe that sustainability will be the engine for future growth across our business and region. We look forward to collaborating closely with Avolon and Vertical on the roadmap to certification for the VA-X4 with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.”

 

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical CEO commented: “The VA-X4 will transform how we travel. We are delighted to be working with Avolon and our newest partner Japan Airlines as we bring zero-emissions aircraft to the Japanese market. JAL’s experience will strengthen the certification roadmap in Japan demonstrating our global view as we make eVTOLs a reality.”

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Air Canada Launches its New LEAVE LESS Travel Program, Leading the Way for Sustainable Business Travel; Deloitte Canada is First On Board

 Air Canada announced today that Deloitte Canada will be the first corporate customer to participate in its new LEAVE LESS Travel Program, which offers corporate customers effective options to offset or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to business travel and reduce their carbon footprint.

Corporate customers can now purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), carbon offsets or a combination of both. The LEAVE LESS Travel Program is one of the many comprehensive initiatives being implemented as part of Air Canada's Climate Action Plan and an additional step towards achieving the airline's long-term goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

"Building a long-term sustainable aviation industry requires a collective effort and companies will play a key role in building greener and more sustainable air travel. We are pleased to see that customers, such as Deloitte, are taking concrete actions by supporting and contributing to innovative solutions," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.

easyJet launches competition for children to design a zero-emission passenger plane

The budget airline easyJet is launching an initiative to inspire younger generations to get thinking about sustainable air travel by designing a zero-emission passenger plane.

The competition is open to children across the UK, aged between 7 – 16 and has been launched just in time for UK half-term. It is open from now until 23.59hrs on Friday 31st October 2021. Children will be able to enter by drawing a zero-emission aircraft design on paper or tablet, complete with notes and descriptions highlighting how their aircraft works and why they have chosen the elements of their design. Entries can be submitted via mediacentre.easyjet.com/competition.

Entries will be judged and shortlisted in two age categories – age 7 – 11 years and age 12 - 16 years, where a winner and runner-up will be awarded in each category.  All designs will be judged by an esteemed panel representing world-class experts in flying, sustainability, design and zero-emission technology.

easyJet’s First Officer Debbie Thomas, who is also an engineer and zero-emission aircraft modeller will be joined on the panel by easyJet’s Director of Sustainability Jane Ashton;  Glenn Llewellyn from aircraft manufacturer Airbus who is currently leading their zero-emission aircraft programme; Jeff Engler, CEO of Wright Electric which is developing a zero-emission short-haul plane; and world-famous automotive transportation designer Frank Stephenson, best known for his iconic car designs for MINI and Fiat 500, as well as recent innovative work designing electric flying vehicles.

PRIZE

The winning entry will receive a money-can’t-buy prize in the form of a trip to the easyJet Training  Centre in London Gatwick and an experience in a full-flight simulator, plus return easyJet flights to anywhere on the airline’s network for the winner’s immediate family, as well as a 3-D model and rendering of their design, produced and signed by Frank Stephenson. 

In addition, the winner of the 12-16 year age category will also win a trip to Airbus and a chance to feature on Frank Stephenson’s YouTube podcast channel to discuss their design. Runners up will also be in with a chance to receive a signed rendering of their design.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Successful designs must consider both technical and creative elements of aircraft and the reasons for including them, such as the materials used, patterns, shapes and colours of the plane, how it will take off and land and most importantly, what sustainable source will power it.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Entries will be judged on the quality of the design, interpretation of the theme, creativity, innovation, practicality and most of all, how the design has considered sustainability and the environment.

The judging panel will make a final decision on the winners and runners-up jointly.

easyJet First Officer, Debbie Thomas, said:   “At easyJet we are very clear about the imperative to reduce CO2 and to stimulate radical technologies, and zero-emissions flying is our ultimate destination. We know the environment is important to all of our customers, including our younger passengers, so we are really excited to launch our Aircraft of the Future competition to engage younger generations in the exciting possibilities of new zero-emission technology for air travel and inspire them to become designers and engineers of the future, who will play a vital role in the industry’s future.”

Frank Stephenson, world-renowned designer, said: “Design has the power to improve the world and it is important to allow the future custodians of the planet to have their say. It is an honour to be involved with easyJet’s aircraft design competition as we look to inspire the designers of the future to get involved with the development of zero-emission planes. I can’t wait to see what incredible designs they come up with.”

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airBaltic introducing mandatory vaccination for all staff.

Latvian airline airBaltic is introducing mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for its entire staff as of November 15, 2021. As vaccination rates grow across the world, the airline sees that as the fastest way out of the pandemic.

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of airBaltic: “We will go for 100% mandatory vaccination of all our staff by November 15. We are proud that already 87% of our employees are vaccinated or immune against Covid-19. airBaltic has a 5-star Covid-19 safety rating, and we aim to continue to provide the safest flying experience not only for our passengers but also for our employees.”

This decision will also ensure undisrupted operations as an increasing number of countries require proof of vaccination for aircrews. As of November 15, if the employee is unable to present the relevant Covid-19 or recovery certificate, the staff member will be suspended from work without pay.

Plug Power invests in Airflow to bring hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system to part 23 aircraft

Airflow, an aerospace company building a next-gen electric Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) aircraft, has announced an investment from Plug Power Inc., a leading provider of hydrogen engines and fueling solutions enabling e-mobility. Under this new partnership, the companies are co-developing and certifying a hydrogen fuel cell-based propulsion system designed for a new generation of sub-regional aircraft. Working with Airflow is part of Plug Power’s ongoing strategy to bring its proven hydrogen ProGen fuel cell technology to new markets including a variety of missions and aircraft types within the aerospace industry. This partnership also furthers Plug Power’s ambitions to build a hydrogen economy and achieve its 5-year, $1.2B roadmaps outlined in 2019.

Airflow has recently secured over $600M in Letters of Intent (LOIs) from eleven airlines operating sub-regional aircraft. With an initial fleet replacement strategy, Airflow intends to accelerate bringing these carbon-neutral aircraft to market, offering airlines several options to match the best propulsion solution to their missions. This flexibility enables Airflow to rapidly meet customer demand and broaden the application of hydrogen as well as other carbon-neutral propulsion solutions including batteries and Sustainable Aviation Fuel hybrid solutions. Plug Power will also serve as Airflow’s preferred hydrogen provider, opening up more opportunities for Plug Power’s hydrogen refuelling infrastructure to co-locate at customer airports. This work is an extension of Plug Power’s ongoing partnership with Albany International Airport where their hydrogen fuel cell solutions power ground support equipment.

10 Hydrogen-Powered ATR 72 Cargo aircraft for ASL Aviation

Universal Hydrogen has announced it has executed a letter of intent (LOI) with ASL Aviation Holdings, a global aviation services group based in Dublin, Ireland. ASL will be a global launch customer for the turboprop cargo market and plans to purchase up to ten of Universal Hydrogen’s ATR 72 conversion kits for installation into its existing or future turboprop aircraft fleet.

Universal Hydrogen’s conversion kits will be installed in ATR 72 planes owned by ASL and operated on services for its major customers throughout Europe. In addition to the conversion kits, ASL has agreed to provide an ATR 72 to Universal Hydrogen to use as its cargo test and certification aircraft.

The ASL CargoVision forum is an initiative to drive innovation and sustainability in the air cargo industry, and working together in this forum Universal Hydrogen and ASL will move quickly to reduce emissions in the critical regional sector served by the ATR 72.

Winners of £3 million zero emission flight aviation competition announced

Fifteen successful projects have been awarded funding to help support UK airports in handling new types of electric and hydrogen aircraft.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has today (29 September 2021) announced the winners of the latest £3 million competition focused on making zero emission flights a reality.

Winning projects include wireless charging for electric planes, swappable battery packs to keep flight turnover times to a minimum and state-of-the-art fuelling tanks to safely and efficiently refuel flights of the future.

The 15 successful projects have been awarded a share of over £700,000 to help bring forward innovative research and technology, which can support UK airports in handling new types of electric and hydrogen aircraft.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:  "As the world reopens from the pandemic, it is essential that we are investing in greener aviation as part of our transport decarbonisation agenda. Funding these revolutionary projects will help to slash carbon, create jobs and get us closer to our goal of operating zero emission flights."

Today’s funding forms part of the government’s commitment in the Prime Minister’s Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution, with a commitment of £3 million funding to research into airport infrastructure for zero emission flights this year.

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said:  "As an island nation, aviation is essential for our future growth and plans to build back better and greener from the pandemic. With COP26 around the corner, we’re ramping up our efforts even further by funding the technology that unlocks the flights of the future."

Earlier this year, the UK government set out its ambition to become world-leaders in sustainable aviation fuel production, launching the £15 million Green Fuel, Green Skies competition and publishing a consultation proposing to mandate sustainable aviation fuel use in the UK from 2025.

Honeywell And Wood introduce new technologies in support of carbon-neutral sustainable aviation fuel

Honeywell and Wood announced this week a comprehensive package of technologies to support the effort to produce carbon-neutral aviation fuel. When used together, the technologies, which are based on Honeywell's UOP Ecofining process technology and Wood's hydrogen plant technology, could reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 100% using certain feedstocks when compared to traditional petroleum aviation fuel.

Airbus will start delivering all aircraft from its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Airbus will start delivering all aircraft from its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on board later this year. The initiative is a further step toward fulfilling Airbus’ commitment to carbon-neutral growth in the aviation sector.

Airbus has reached an agreement with Signature Flight Support to supply SAF to its Mobile facility. No later than November 2021, all aircraft delivered to customers will be powered by a blend of SAF and conventional jet fuel. Signature Flight Support is working in partnership with World Energy to provide the U.S.-sourced SAF to Airbus.

“Delivering our Mobile-produced aircraft with SAF is an important, iterative step toward solving the carbon challenge,” said Jeff Knittel, Chairman, and CEO of Airbus Americas, Inc. “SAF is a positive contributor to enhanced sustainability in aviation since it enables up to an 80% reduction of CO2 across the fuel lifecycle.  We are committed to making sustainable fuels an everyday reality with use on an increasingly larger scale, and this announcement is further evidence of that.”

From its U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama, Airbus delivers both A220 and A320 Family aircraft to U.S.-based customers. Since 2016, the company has delivered more than 260 Airbus aircraft from Mobile -- 54 of which have been turned over to airlines in 2021 alone.

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Gol, Brazil’s largest airline and Grupo Comporte, Brazil’s leading transport operator order 250 zero-emission aircraft

Avolon, the international aircraft leasing company, announces a partnership with Gol, Brazil’s largest airline and Grupo Comporte, Brazil’s leading transport operator, to commercialise an eVTOL ride-sharing platform in Brazil.

Avolon, Gol and Grupo Comporte will collaborate to identify and target local partners, infrastructure and certification requirements across a range of commercial models, launching one of the world’s first eVTOL ride-sharing businesses. As part of the agreement, Gol and Grupo Comporte has committed to purchase or lease up to 250 VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft.

The VA-X4, manufactured by Vertical Aerospace, will be the most advanced and safest eVTOL in the market on its introduction in 2024. Avolon is a launch customer for the aircraft which can transport four passengers and one pilot distances of 100 miles at up to 200 miles per hour. eVTOLs are central to the future of transport. They introduce the ultra-short-haul aircraft category to commercial aviation and will revolutionise air travel with VA-X4 zero-emissions aircraft.

Europcar Brazil Places Order for 50 Skyworks Aeronautics eGyro™ Electric Aircraft

 Europcar Brazil announced plans to purchase 50 eGyro™ electrically powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Skyworks Aeronautics (“Skyworks”) for use in Brazil, the world’s fourth-largest market for civil helicopters after the U.S., Russia and Canada. Europcar is the world’s third-largest rental car company and leading mobility provider.

“Europcar Brazil is extremely excited to partner with Skyworks Aeronautics to bring safe, efficient, and cost-effective electric aircraft solutions to Brazil,” stated Paulo Gaba, Chief Executive Officer of the Autotur Group, the Europcar franchisee for Brazil. “This initial order for Skyworks’ revolutionary eGyro reflects our understanding that though aviation certainly connects the world in important ways, we have an opportunity to deliver new, sustainable mobility capabilities that create immense value for consumers while better caring for our planet. The offer of eGyros will complete our range of possibilities as a global mobility provider,” Gaba added.

“Skyworks Aeronautics has been developing manned and unmanned vertical lift gyroplane technologies for more than two decades, providing sustained autorotative flight capabilities that enable aircraft to be both runway independent and economical, and without the physics-imposed speed, range, and payload limitations of a helicopter,” added Jack Carter, Skyworks Director. “This exciting partnership with Europcar Brazil highlights the promise of our electrified gyrocraft to expand their already extraordinary service capabilities to serve current and future markets in new, safe and exciting ways,” Carter added.

United and Honeywell invest in new clean technology venture from Alder Fuels

United agrees to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over 20 years - which is one and a half times the size of the rest of the world's airlines' publicly announced SAF commitments combined.

Photo PRNewswire

 

United and Honeywell announced on Saturday 9th September, a joint multimillion-dollar investment in Alder Fuels – a cleantech company that is pioneering first-of-its-kind technologies for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at scale by converting abundant biomass, such as forest and crop waste, into sustainable low-carbon, drop-in replacement crude oil that can be used to produce aviation fuel. When used together across the fuel lifecycle, the Alder technologies, coupled with Honeywell's Ecofining™ process, could have the ability to produce a carbon-negative fuel at spec with today's jet fuel. The goal of the technologies is to produce fuel that is a 100% drop-in replacement for petroleum jet fuel.

As part of the agreement, United is committing to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder when produced to United's requirements. United's purchase agreement, which is one and a half times the size of the known purchase commitments of all global airlines combined, makes this easily the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history. United's purchase agreement with Alder also surpasses the previous record set by the airline in 2015 through its investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy with its option to purchase up to 900 million gallons of SAF.

"Since announcing our 100% green commitment in 2020, United has stayed focused on decarbonizing without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets. Part of that commitment means increasing SAF usage and availability since it's the fastest way to reduce emissions across our fleet. However, to scale SAF as quickly as necessary, we need to look beyond existing solutions and invest in research and development for new pathways like the one Alder is developing," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "United has come further than any other airline making sustainable travel a reality by using SAF to power flights. Our leadership gives customers confidence that they are flying with an airline that recognizes the responsibility we have to help solve climate change."

British Airways looking for a sustainable future with its BA Better World programme

This week the UK's British Airways launched "BA Better World", a new sustainability programme that will take the firm forward a long way into becoming a green aviation business. 

BA says this new programme will put sustainability at the heart of its business, reducing emissions and waste and positively contributing to communities, creating a great place for people to work in order to build a resilient, responsible business. 

At a publicity event taking place in British Airways’ Heathrow engineering base, the firm unveiled a new look for one of its Airbus A320neo aircraft featuring light blue lettering proclaiming it was the most important journey yet.  Although, energy used in both the paint creation, application and presentation was not disclosed or off-set.

At the lavish launch, BA announced a collaboration with bp, committing to source sustainable aviation fuel with respect to all its flights between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh during the UK’s COP26 climate change summit being held in Glasgow later this year*.

* British Airways has purchased SAF with respect to all its flights between London City, Gatwick and Heathrow airports and Glasgow and Edinburgh. The fuel will be mixed with traditional jet fuel and blended to meet requisite certification requirements. In the case of the fuel bought for COP26 flights, British Airways has sourced the equivalent amount of SAF to attribute 100% of it for such flights

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is blended with traditional jet fuel to comply with aviation fuel certification standards. The SAF sourced for the COP26 period provides a lifecycle carbon reduction of up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. **

** This is because the emissions produced from SAF release carbon that has previously already been released into the atmosphere, unlike emissions produced from traditional jet fuel, which release carbon previously locked under the ground 

The collaboration with bp forms part of British Airways’ long-term commitment to the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel. The airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), is investing $400m over the next 20 years into the development of SAF, with British Airways forming partnerships with a number of technology and fuel companies to develop SAF plants and purchase the fuel, including with Velocys in the UK and LanzaJet in the US. British Airways, as part of an IAG commitment, recently stated it would power 10 per cent of its fuel needs with SAF by 2030.

Does better governance for aviation's sustainability mean better financial rewards?

To discuss sustainability in the aviation industry the conversation also needs to address the subject of governance writes Chairman of the Board Of Avia Solutions Group Gediminas Ziemelis.

According to a sustainability report from the ICSA (International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation) aviation emissions amount to 2.1% of the global share, however, when non-CO2 emissions are introduced into the equation aviation contributes an estimated 4.9% to the overall global warming problem.

While the figures may seem daunting, the question needs to be asked; is the aviation sector being over-vilified at a time when governance regarding sustainability in the industry has never been so focused?

Major stakeholders in the aviation sector are being faced with the need to comply with the long-term decarbonisation goals being set by governments. But it seems that the governance of these goals is a moveable feast, with global governmental regulations still to be unified.

Even before the Paris Agreement on climate change came into force, aviation – a traditionally conservative industry – had already set in motion its own proactive governance to halve CO2 emissions by 2050; a figure which later matched the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global temperature rises to below 20C.

Additionally, in 2016, and working as a united body, the ICAO decided to adopt a market-based global measure for aviation emissions – CORSIA, the Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. The scheme, it is envisaged, will allow the aviation sector to cut its CO2 emissions by 2.5 billion tons between 2005 and 2035. This target will be reached through US$40 billion investment in carbon-reduction products backed by solid governance procedures.

The pre-emptive attention being paid to governance on sustainability right across the industry only serves to strengthen stakeholder and investor confidence in the future of aviation. Good governance also creates an environment equipped to identify, and profit from changes within the industry.

Already, investors are actively pursuing opportunities with businesses that promote sustainability in aviation backed by proper governance procedures. It has been established that the sustainable aviation fuel market alone will be worth $15,307 million by 2030, a hugely significant increase from $66 million in 2020.

Hybrid Electric flight comes to South West England

Ampaire, a pioneer in hybrid electric aircraft technology, launches demonstration flights between Exeter Airport and Cornwall Airport Newquay this week, to advance the use of sustainable aviation, driving down costs and emissions on short regional routes.  The flights are part of a series of government-backed trials aimed at moving the UK towards green aviation.

Demonstration flights will be flown by its Electric EEL technology aircraft.  The EEL, a modified US-built six-seat Cessna 337 Skymaster, features a battery-powered electric motor at the front and conventional combustion engine at the rear, enabling a reduction in emissions and operating costs by as much as 30%.  The aircraft will fly between these two regional airports, 85 miles apart, on a combination of battery and piston power, collecting valuable data to monitor fuel savings, efficiency and noise.

Ampaire uses the EEL as an important research and development platform.  It is currently developing hybrid electric power train upgrades for 9- to 19-seat regional aircraft, including the Cessna Grand Caravan and Twin Otter.  It views the near-term opportunity to transform existing turboprop aircraft as the first step to fully electric aircraft, which will become feasible as battery technology advances.  

Ampaire Ltd heads a UK-based consortium created to explore regional electric aviation transport solutions.  Last year the team received £2.4 million from the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) £30 million Future Flight Challenge towards the consortium’s £5 million 2ZERO programme.

2ZERO (Towards Zero Emissions in Regional Aircraft Operations) involves the operation of hybrid electric aircraft on regional routes in South West UK, together with a study of the ecosystem required to enable the future of electric aircraft within existing airport and airline operations.