Sustainability

Dave Calderwood takes a look at what will be focusing the attention of the business aviation community in 2021.

From electric and autonomous tow vehicles to a rail system, alternative approaches to aircraft ground handling come into focus.

From flight trainers to regional miniliners, European light aircraft manufacturers are moving to exploit propulsion electrification.

Rolls-Royce has completed the taxiing of its ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft, the latest milestone on its journey to becoming the world’s fastest all-electric plane.

Qatar Airways Cargo has announced Chapter 2 of its sustainability programme WeQare: Rewild the Planet.

Speaking at the 7th Meeting of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Global Tourism Crisis Committee last week, ICAO Secretary General Dr Fang Liu emphasised that a combination of measures, coordinated between governments and industry, will be essential to the re-establishment of public confidence in air travel.

Startup ZeroAvia has raised $37.7 million in funding to develop a zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system to power 19-seat regional airliners.

Germany’s air transport sector committed to reaching net zero emissions as it rolled out its “masterplan climate protection” on Dec. 14., but tied the target to strong political support in replacing fleets and bringing synthetic fuels to market.

The UK is looking to use alternative, sustainable fuels for its combat aircraft and helicopters in a bid to lower carbon emissions.

Starting from December 2021, the pan-European overnight train network Nightjet will expand as it targets younger climate-conscious airline passengers.

U.S. start-up Ampaire is flying its hybrid-electric testbed on a regional airline route in Hawaii to demonstrate the propulsion technology’s potential to reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 40-50%.

Recovering from its worst-ever crisis while also focusing on reducing the environmental impact will be a 2021 air-transport challenge.

Signature Flight Support has pumped the first ceremonial gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the first two locations in its network, marking the launch of the renewable fuel’s continuous availability for purchase.

While engineers at airframers and engine manufacturers, particularly in Europe, are busy advancing hydrogen technology for use in commercial aircraft propulsion, airports have begun studying a transition from conventional fuel.

Airbus has carried out a new flight test program of its Zephyr solar-powered pseudo-satellite, focusing on low-altitude flying, ascent and descent.

Future carbon-neutral commercial aircraft should benefit from a favorable tax policy to help the technology gain traction, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said.

ICAO’s council has adopted decisions on eligibility units and sustainability certification, clearing the path for the implementation of CORSIA, the carbon-offsetting scheme for airlines.

IATA is reviewing the findings of a European report into the climate impacts of aviation beyond CO2 emissions, but has cautioned against jumping to premature conclusions.

U.S. LCC JetBlue has performed the first transaction on IATA’s Aviation Carbon Exchange (ACE), a new carbon-offset trading platform which went live on Nov. 25.

A French startup has unveiled plans to develop a hybrid-electric light aircraft as a step towards a hydrogen-fueled six-seat regional aircraft.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments worldwide to support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a critical step to achieving its target to cut net emissions to half 2005 levels by 2050.

Supersonic business jet developer Aerion has teamed with satellite company Spire Global to supply the high-fidelity weather data critical to the aircraft maker’s goal of achieving Mach 1-plus cruise speeds without generating a sonic boom on the ground.

With air traffic flights and passengers drastically down in 2020, the 2019 top issues of aircraft emissions and “flight shame” have all but disappeared. But they will reappear just as soon as traffic recovers.

The Netherlands has increased a new national flight tax that takes effect Jan. 1, while the European Commission has been scrutinizing aviation’s fuel-duty exemption and is expected to release its findings in 2021.

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) 52nd Annual General Assembly ended on an upbeat note with a rallying call for airlines to take specific measures to build resilience and emerge stronger after the crisis.