Experts from the sector, including AfriSAF’s CEO and co-founder Kwame Bekoe, and Silas Udahemuka, Director General of the Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority, will debate and present their views on the measures that need to be taken to take the continent’s lengthy debates and studies from paper- and power-point-based dreams into reality.

The panel will be moderated by aviation industry veteran Vijay Poonoosamy, Barrister/Partner at Dentons Mauritius LLP.

“Africa’s success with SAF depends on mobilising feedstock, choosing the right technologies, reducing risks, and aligning policy with market incentives,” said Bekoe of AfriSAF. 

“At AfriSAF we are enabling SAF production using our feedstock management tool and bringing together the right stakeholders to develop cost competitive projects.

“From energy independence to green jobs, waste management and improved air quality, our message is that SAF production could bring a disproportionate net positive impact to Africa on several dimension,” added Bekoe.

The AfriSAF CEO will also present his firm’s plans in the Insight Theatre at Aviation Africa, with a presentation titled: Solutions for enabling SAF production in Africa.

GAIN – Green Aviation is the NATS-led initiative designed to spearhead action on aviation’s contribution to climate change.

Made up of a coalition of leading ANSPs, the initiative centres around the development of the GAIN tool, the first globally collaborative data and analytics application designed specifically for ANSPs to measure airspace efficiency in a standardised way.

GAIN is designed to enable ANSPs around the world to benchmark performance, share insights, and drive more sustainable airspace management. In Europe alone, routing inefficiencies are thought to cause roughly 5-11% additional fuel burn per flight, translating to tens of millions of tonnes of CO₂ annually. By leveraging cutting-edge analytics and complex algorithms, GAIN equips ANSPs with the tools to identify airspace hotspots, set actionable targets, and benchmark performance.

NATS, alongside CAAM, skeyes, and AZANS, officially launched GAIN as a not-for-profit initiative in May this year, and with ATNS now joining the collaboration, over 10% of the world’s air traffic falls under the jurisdiction of the Founding Members. Together they have the potential to achieve annual savings of at least 450,000 tonnes of CO2 through airspace and aircraft routing improvements.

On joining GAIN, the acting CEO of ATNS,Matome Moholola said: “I believe that collaborative programs such as the GAIN initiative will assist the industry in understanding their contribution and defining measures in improving operational efficiency and reducing aircraft emissions to meet the global target of Net-Zero by 2050”.

Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE, GAIN Steering Group Chair & NATS Sustainable Aviation Consultant​, added: “I’m thrilled to welcome ATNS as a GAIN Founding Member. Their passion, expertise and commitment will benefit the entire membership and help widen our global coverage. Tackling climate change requires collaboration across industries and across borders, that’s why ANSPs like ATNS and the other founding members can play a leading role, and why I believe GAIN is such a vital initiative on our journey to Net Zero.”

Speakers included Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the UAE GCAA, Henry Hooi, Chairman of Volar Air Mobility Holding, Saif Aldarmaki - chairman of Volar Air Mobility Industries.

The event focused on the development of various green aviation technologies, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), electric and hydrogen propulsion technologies, AI pilot training, green materials and green infrastructure development.

Sustainability expert, Dr. Sharon Lu presented on the advancement of the SAF industry and the alignment of industry initiatives with ICAO’s global decarbonisation goals, highlighting opportunities for cross-border cooperation. Guo Yilin from Liaoning General Avia on Academy shared the development roadmap of the RX-series electric aircraft— the World’s Widest series of Electric Aircraft.

A key highlight was the progress of the Green Avia on Technology (GAT) Hub, an integrated incubation and commercialisation platform ecosystem for sustainable aviation, established an MoU signed last year between the GCAA and Volar in Montreal during the ICAO Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Symposium.

Speakers on the infrastructure panel, titled: What are the challenges for India to achieve the right airport, ATM and ground services to support and deliver growth? include:

 Shri Vipin Kumar, Chairman, Airports Authority of India

 Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport Ltd

 Radha Bhatia, Chair, The Bird Group

 Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport

The infrastructure session will be moderated by Chloe Greenbank, Airports Editor for Aviation India. “It is incredibly exciting to bring these organisations together to examine India’s hugely ambitious airport development plan as it seeks to bring connectivity to its citizens across the country,” she said.

“Over the last decade the number of airports in India has grown from 74 to 160 with plans to add another 50 by 2029, according to AAI,” added Greenbank.

“Equally significant is the creation of dual-airport systems in Mumbai and Delhi with the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport and Noida International Airport bringing much-needed extra capacity to these cities.

“India is on a steep upward trajectory in air transport and all players from airports to ground service providers have a critical role to ensure they meet the demands of airline customers and travellers,” Greenbank concluded.

The 2nd edition of Aviation India & South Asia Summit & Exhibition 2025 is organised by Times Aerospace Events alongside joint venture partner, the MRO Association of India.

Under the event headline: “Shaping the pathway for Indian aviation”, the Summit promises to be one of the most significant gatherings of the commercial air transport community and ecosystem this year in India and builds upon the success of the launch summit in 2024 which attracted 582 delegates.

It is expected the 2025 edition will attract over 800 delegates and some 70 exhibitors.

Aviation India summit 2025 builds on the formula of the successful Times Aerospace Aviation Africa events, which began in Dubai in 2015 and have been held in Rwanda, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia and South Africa.

The exhibition echoed the international organisation’s mission to reduce single-use plastic products, spotlighting Emirates’ and dnata’s efforts and approach to ‘Consuming Responsibly’ through sourcing, reusing, repurposing, and reducing plastic and other materials.

This year’s exhibition showcased initiatives that are driving impact across the organisation, including projects at both Emirates and dnata being implemented with like-minded partners and across departments and businesses like engineering, catering, cargo, airport operations, travel, service delivery, and others.

On the conference stage, employees heard about the work Emirates, dnata and partners are doing to advance sustainable practices, with panellists from Emirates Engineering, Flight Operations, Service Delivery, Emirates SkyCargo and dnata Technical Services in addition to a powerful lineup of industry partners like the University of Cambridge, the UAE GCAA, Airbus, Boeing, ENOC, Cobus Industries GmbH, TLD, Mallaghan, GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Dubai Airports contributing to discussions.

Speaking at the opening of ‘Tomorrow Takes Flight’, Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President & Chief Operations Officer said: “Today's event celebrates our sustainability journey while educating and inspiring our people through the showcased initiatives and meaningful discussions on sustainable practices. Environmental responsibility is essential to achieving our objectives as an airline and as an industry, and it supports the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy.

With governments and communities demanding meaningful action, collective responsibility across the entire ecosystem is vital. Emirates is making progress with emissions reduction projects across our operations, and we’re actively pursuing programmes that conserve resources through recycling and responsible sourcing. Collaboration with industry partners will be crucial in the years ahead to enhance the recyclability of materials across the supply chain.

We’re also encouraging our teams to build on the success of existing initiatives and push boundaries to develop new approaches that address the full spectrum of operational waste, and today is a great example of these drives. From cabin materials and catering to ground operations and maintenance, every touchpoint presents an opportunity to minimise environmental impact.”

Steve Allen, dnata’s CEO, added: “Sustainability is a fundamental part of how we operate as a global business. It shapes the decisions we make, the investments we prioritise, and the standards we set for ourselves and our partners.

“We are driving progress through action: investing in renewable energy infrastructure at our facilities, accelerating the shift to electric ground support equipment, and collaborating with alternative fuel suppliers to lower emissions. At the same time, we’re tackling food waste, promoting responsible consumption, and expanding recycling programmes as part of a broader shift toward circular resource management.

“These initiatives are united by a clear ambition: to grow responsibly while delivering meaningful, lasting impact. This commitment is reflected in our team's innovative, creative solutions and community partnerships, extending our efforts well beyond our core operations.

“It was a pleasure to highlight dnata’s initiatives to colleagues and partners through this unique event - a great opportunity to celebrate progress, share ideas, and strengthen the sense of purpose behind our sustainability journey.”

When there is a match, airlines and suppliers can connect and take their negotiation offline to agree on specific terms including price and payment terms.

Specifically, the SAF Matchmaker addresses three critical issues:

Efficiency: The availability of a central platform will simplify SAF procurement by making it easier and faster for all parties to connect without additional fees. It will therefore facilitate further development of the voluntary market for SAF purchasing.

Connectivity: SAF producers and suppliers can post available or planned SAF volumes while airlines are able to register their interest in purchasing shown or desired SAF volumes. Subsequent trades will take place outside the platform.

Visibility: The platform carries comprehensive information regarding the available SAF, such as volumes, feedstock used, the location and technology of production, the emissions reductions, as well as compliance with the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) or the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED).

“To reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, we need an accessible, transparent, liquid, and efficient SAF market. The SAF Matchmaker is another example of the work that IATA is putting in place to create a fully functioning market for SAF. The SAF Matchmaker platform will accelerate the uptake of SAF by reducing the costs and complexity that airlines face when searching for SAF suppliers,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist.

The award recognising its transaction that integrated a sustainability-linked loan structure into a multi-currency JOLCO financing model for the acquisition of two next-generation, fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo aircraft.

This innovative transaction, arranged by Societe Generale, links the financing terms to Turkish Airlines’ Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs), particularly the goal of reducing carbon intensity across its fleet.

Commenting on the award, Turkish Airlines’ Member of the Board and the Executive Committee, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Assoc. Prof. Murat Şeker, said: “We are proud to receive this international recognition for incorporating a sustainability-driven financing structure in our aircraft financing strategy. We believe this structure not only supports our fleet renewal and growth objectives, but also reinforces our long-term commitment to becoming a carbon-neutral airline by 2050.”

This includes knowledge sharing, training, and joint participation in environmental programmes.

Captain Sulaiman Almuhaimidi, executive vice president of Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at GACA, welcomed this alliance, stated: “Today marks an important step in our commitment to a sustainable future for aviation in the Kingdom.

“Through this collaboration with Airbus, we aim not only to meet the challenges of decarbonising aviation but also to strengthen local capabilities through knowledge sharing and skills development for the next generation to lead by example in shaping a greener, more resilient air transport sector for generations to come.”

Gabriel Semelas, President of Airbus in Middle East and Africa, said: “This partnership with GACA marks a significant step forward in our shared commitment to building a more sustainable future for aviation.

“At Airbus, we are honoured to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its ambition for a more environmentally responsible aviation sector through innovative technologies, sustainable aviation solutions, and long-term collaboration,” said Semelas. “Together, we aim to accelerate the decarbonisation of air transport in the region and beyond.”

His Excellency Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, GACA President, highlighted the importance of attending the Paris Air Show. “We are showcasing Saudi Arabia’s aviation progress and the scale of opportunities available. With our strategic location, modern infrastructure, and ambitious goals, we are positioning the Kingdom as a global connector. Saudi Arabia provides opportunities for global aviation investors, with the Saudi Aviation Strategy unlocking $100 billion in infrastructure projects.”

According to a GACA press statement: “The news coming out of Paris today further reiterates the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which is committed to creating unprecedented growth opportunities, tripling passenger numbers to 330 million and doubling the Kingdom’s connectivity to 250 destinations by 2030.”

That news included orders for Airbus aircraft from lessor Avilease and start-up carrier Riyadh Air.

GACA, along with key national aviation entities including Matarat, Riyadh Air, Saudia Airlines, Flynas, the Saudi Aviation Academy, and the Saudi Industrial Center, are leading the largest ever Saudi delegation to the 2025 Paris Air Show.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said this is a ‘key milestone’ in its ongoing sustainability agenda and a major step towards energy-efficient operations at both of Dubai’s airports.

This newly signed phase will see over 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures replaced with energy-saving alternatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), with Concourse A at DXB being the largest single area covered. Combined with the first phase completed earlier and covering 150,000 lighting units at DXB, the project will upgrade more than 330,000 lighting units in total, making it one of the most extensive airport lighting retrofit initiatives in the region.

The project is expected to cut annual energy consumption by 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to powering over 4,300 homes for an entire year, a significant result that highlights the real-world impact of operational sustainability. The initiative will also deliver annual cost savings of more than AED 20 million, contributing to Dubai Airports’ efforts to optimise efficiency while supporting Dubai’s wider environmental targets.

Griffiths said: “In partnership with Etihad ESCO and DEWA, this project highlights the power of collaboration in achieving measurable sustainability results. Airports are significant energy consumers, and that gives us both the opportunity and the responsibility to lead meaningful change. This lighting project goes beyond efficiency upgrades; it is about embedding sustainability into the core of our day-to-day operations. Every kilowatt-hour saved moves us closer to reducing our environmental impact and building a more resilient future. It sets the benchmark for what a truly sustainable airport can and should achieve.”

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said: “Aligned with the UAE’s commitment to climate change resilience and sustainable growth, DEWA is dedicated to supporting Dubai’s journey towards a green economy. This aligns with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. The partnership between Dubai Airports and Etihad ESCO is a prime example of our collective efforts to promote energy efficiency, reduce emissions and advance Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy. Through initiatives like this large-scale retrofit, we are actively building a greener, more resilient future to support our country’s needs and ambitions.”

Dr Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad Energy Services Company, added: “At Etihad ESCO, we are driven by the mission to transform Dubai’s infrastructure as an outstanding example of energy efficiency and sustainability. This final phase of the lighting retrofit project with Dubai Airports is a testament to how strategic partnerships and innovative solutions can deliver measurable impact – from substantial energy savings to a reduced carbon footprint. It reaffirms our shared vision of making Dubai a global leader in sustainable development.”

Installation work is scheduled to begin later this year and conclude by H2 2027.

It will provide comprehensive ground handling services for all airlines operating at the airport, in compliance with the highest operational and environmental sustainability standards that set a new benchmark for operational excellence in the Kingdom.

"Our partnership with Saudi Ground Services (SGS) underpins the operational and sustainable backbone of RSI, as we prepare to welcome the world. The airport will soon be powered entirely on renewable energy, pioneering innovative solutions to eliminate carbon emissions in compliance with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Partnering with a company of SGS’s calibre ensures that every aspect of our guests’ journey is seamless from the moment they arrive,” said Andy Tyler-Smith, CEO of Red Sea International Airport.

“We are proud to be the strategic partner of daa International in providing ground handling services at Red Sea International Airport, one of the Kingdom’s most prominent national projects that embodies its ambitions in tourism and sustainable development. Our services at new airports such as RSI reaffirm our commitment to contributing effectively to achieving the objectives of Vision 2030 and supporting the integrated air transport and tourism ecosystem.”

Through this agreement, SGS will be responsible for delivering passenger services both within the terminal and at The Red Sea resorts, overseeing all apron operations including aircraft marshalling, pushback, towing, and ground power connection, as well as managing baggage handling. In addition, the agreement outlines a robust pricing structure, positioning the RSI Airport among the most competitively serviced airports in Saudi Arabia.