Sustainability

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.

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.

NASA is polling industry on technologies that have a high probability of being used in new single-aisle airliners entering service in 2030-35.

In partnership with the UK’s ATI Programme, project REINSTATE will develop 20 emerging technologies to improve engine maintenance while reducing airline disruption and environmental impacts.

Paint and coatings providers are expanding facilities, releasing innovative new products and leading the way in sustainability initiatives.

“We believe there is a clear path to get us where we need to be; our industry has been constantly improving fuel efficiency, noise, and emissions as

Electric aircraft developer Bye Aerospace has attracted another investor, South Korean startup Aerospace9.

NASA tests on Boeing’s 787-10 ecoDemonstrator provided unprecedented system-level acoustic data for improving low-noise airliner designs.

Flight tests for the first time synchronously measured noise on the ground and on the aircraft.

Ask the Editors: There is room for both and overlap between both, and who will win where will play out over the next decade.

The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) predicts COVID-19 will have a 16% impact on traffic 30 years from now, the group said in a report, “Waypoint

Plans for major technology demonstrators to shape next generation of single-aisle airliner firming up in Europe and U.S.

Aviation’s electric propulsion pioneers are reliving the passion of the formative years of aviation as the push to develop electric and hybrid

Renovation of Europe’s air traffic management (ATM) is progressing at a steady speed but with shifted priorities, as the backers of the Single European Sky Research (SESAR) project manage their budgets amid the pandemic.

High-octane fuel is a threat to 230,000 lightplanes and helicopters.