The technology leaders released a joint statement at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow emphasising the importance of accelerating efforts critical to understanding and reducing aviation’s non-CO2 effects.

The aerospace industry actively works to improve the understanding of non-CO2 emissions in collaboration with research institutions, universities and other stakeholders. Following an event today, the forum called for increased research funding for science needed to underpin technology choices, operational changes and policy decisions.

The leaders jointly call for increased research funding to develop the science needed to underpin technology choices, operational changes and policy decisions. We will continue to engage academia, the global climate and weather modelling community, government research organisations and industry partners to advance seven priorities for research:

1. Improve understanding of contrail formation, persistence, and climate impact. Progressing the science of contrail physics combined with increasing the fidelity of upper tropospheric humidity data in global climate and weather modelling will enable more accurate contrail forecasts and analysis data sets for performing impact assessment.

2. Improve understanding of emissions properties. The properties of fuels such as conventional jet fuel, SAF, and hydrogen as well as the combustion characteristics of engine technologies impact emissions properties that play a role in contrail formation and persistence.

3. Build research on aerosol cloud interactions. Aerosol cloud interactions result from the ability of aerosol particles to cause the formation of droplets or ice particles, affecting the radiative properties of clouds. Research is required to better understand these interactions and their potential impacts.

4. Improve understanding of the radiative impact and modelling uncertainty of NOx emissions. The effect of NOx emissions depends on where and when emissions are released into the atmosphere as well as atmospheric conditions. Further studies are needed to fully characterise these dependencies.

5. Improve understanding of the interdependencies and trade-offs of aviation emissions (NOx, soot, contrails, CO2, and noise). To enable management of aviation emissions for total climate impact reduction, the challenges of comparing impacts across emissions species with different characteristics and interactions need to be addressed.

6. Establish and improve common models for quantifying the effect of aviation on climate. Collaboration across communities working on contrails and cloud physics, atmospheric chemistry, fuels properties and chemistry, and aircraft data collection to support this research is essential and can benefit climate science and weather prediction.

7. Research on airspace network impacts of mitigation should be further investigated. Large scale research projects and operational analysis should be developed to better understand potential impacts to civil airspace operations.

They will also look into how they might be supported by the leasing business model.

Airbus revealed its ZEROe hydrogen powered aircraft ambition in 2020, focused on pioneering the technology required for hydrogen flight and developing the ecosystem to support it.

Avolon shares Airbus’ commitment to achieving the aviation sector’s decarbonisation goals, and has a track record of being a thought leader on future technologies through its investment in eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace, and research into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. Avolon is also committed to having a fleet that comprises 75% new-technology lower emissions aircraft by the end of 2025.

Paul Geaney, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Avolon, commented: “Joining the ZEROe Project is another step in Avolon’s sustainability journey, and we look forward to building on our long-standing partnership with Airbus to consider how the next generation of aircraft will be financed and commercialised. It will take a wide ecosystem of contributors to meet the challenges of hydrogen powered commercial flight, and Airbus is playing a crucial role in bringing partners together. While we continue to focus on supporting our customers in modernising their fleets with lower emissions aircraft, it is also vital we look beyond that at what can further drive our industry’s decarbonisation.”

Glenn Llewellyn, Vice-President ZEROe Project, Airbus, commented: “There is real value in bringing together industry leaders to help solve the challenges facing aviation. We know we can’t solve decarbonisation alone and welcome Avolon’s expertise and worldwide leadership in the aircraft leasing business. Working together to consider how the transition can be commercialised and financed for airline customers is crucial to success.”

This includes with researching hydrogen fuel system technology and continuing to prove hydrogen could be a zero-carbon aviation fuel of the future.

TCS will provide engineering skills and support to Rolls-Royce as it addresses three key challenges in the journey to enabling hydrogen for use in aviation: fuel combustion, fuel delivery and fuel systems integration with an engine. All elements must be confirmed to operate safely.

Alan Newby, Director, Research and Technology, Rolls-Royce, said, “We welcome TCS to our hydrogen research programme and their engineering skills will play a valuable role in addressing our technology goals. We’ve already made great progress and having TCS with us gives us additional capability as we move forward on our journey to enable the energy transition for the aviation sector.”

This expanded partnership was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow where TCS also showcased its technological prowess in the aviation industry. The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Rolls-Royce and the Tata Group, including engines and a strong supply chain commitment. TCS has also been working with Rolls-Royce since 2010 in the areas of design, manufacturing engineering, control systems and software, after-market services as well as IT services. Having supported Rolls-Royce in major civil and business aviation programs, TCS has also supported its end-to-end product development lifecycle.

Anupam Singhal, President - Manufacturing, TCS, said: “The partnership between TCS and Rolls-Royce is an exciting one that represents a powerful alliance in the quest for sustainable aviation solutions. We are aligned with Rolls-Royce’s ambition for a greener future. This partnership is the perfect opportunity to put our technological strengths and passion for the environment to use for advancing innovation and fostering an eco-friendlier aerospace sector.”

This partnership leverages the strengths of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer and the largest and most important international association of airports to make significant progress in both decarbonising aviation and mitigating aircraft noise impact.

This alliance will address key areas including Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), hydrogen technologies, advanced air mobility, operations efficiency, and aircraft noise management practices. It will foster the exchange of information and perspectives on low carbon operations, communicate industry progress, jointly develop guidance materials, and potentially formulate unified positions on policies and standards to achieve the industry targets.

“This partnership marks a significant step in our collective efforts to reduce aviation's environmental impact,” said Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer. “By combining our technological expertise with ACI World’s vast network and operational insights, we aim to influence policies and standards that support sustainable aviation and drive industry-wide innovation. Together, we can create a cohesive and aligned approach to achieving our decarbonisation targets and enhancing the sustainability of the global aviation sector”.

ACI World Director General and CEO Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “Airbus and ACI World’s groundbreaking cooperation agreement marks a pivotal step in our journey towards a net-zero carbon aviation industry. This strategic alliance underscores the unwavering commitment of airports worldwide to sustainable aviation, ensuring that we not only reduce our environmental impact but also maximise the socio-economic benefits of air travel. By focusing on key areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels, hydrogen technologies, advanced air mobility, operational efficiency, and aircraft noise management, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainability in aviation, and paving the way for a greener future”.

The course is available on the INJAZ Campus digital education platform and aims to equip 4,000 high school and university students in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, and Oman with the relevant knowledge and skills to drive sustainability in the aviation industry.

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, said: “Achieving commercial aviation’s net zero target by 2050 requires involving the next generation. Boeing is partnering with non-profits and academia to educate and inspire young talent who will eventually design, build, and operate zero-emissions aircraft or develop new pathways for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF)”.

By fostering a better understanding of corporate social responsibility, sustainable operations, renewable energy transition including SAF, and more, the course will inspire students to pursue rewarding careers in aviation and sustainability.

Akef Aqrabawi, president and CEO of INJAZ Al-Arab, said: "We are thrilled to introduce our first-ever sustainable aviation course, marking a significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with Boeing. INJAZ has always been dedicated to empowering young people to make positive changes in their lives and communities. With environmental concerns ranking among the world's top priorities today, we believe this course will serve as a gateway to building a professional sustainability-driven community."

The course is available both offline and online, offering flexibility to meet the specific needs of each participating country. It welcomes students registered within academic institutions in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, and Oman.

The curriculum comprises six comprehensive one-hour modules, covering various topics related to sustainability in aviation. Participants will engage in real-world case studies, gaining practical insights into the delicate balance between decarbonising aviation and preserving and growing the societal and economic benefits of it.

For over 15 years, INJAZ Al-Arab and Boeing have been working closely to upskill and empower the youth in the Middle East and North Africa.

Working with Linstol, a global eco-friendly in-flight products provider, the airline anticipates the change will enable it to eliminate 6.48 tonnes of non-recyclable waste material each year, an amount which equates to saving an estimated 110 trees from deforestation or conserving 207,360 litres of water.

“We are delighted to introduce this latest initiative on board, which represents our ongoing commitment to our planet by reducing the environmental impact of air travel, while ensuring our guests enjoy a comfortable and convenient experience that aligns with their values,” said Con Korfiatis, chief executive officer. “We believe that small changes make a big impact and we continue to look for innovative solutions in all corners of our operations, while promoting and advocating for initiatives that support both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Oman’s national objectives.”

CWCA audits have already been trialled in two waves, covering 25 flights (short, medium, and long-haul) at Singapore’s Changi Airport in November 2023 and April 2024. ASF conducted the audits based on a methodology developed by IATA. Preliminary results indicate that the sector is generating over 3.6 million metric tonnes of cabin and catering waste annually, with 65% being food and beverage waste. Untouched meals account for 18% of all waste.

Audit data will guide the airline industry and policy makers in their efforts to reduce the levels of waste produced and improve circularity by identifying opportunities for re-use and re-cycling. Previous IATA research identified the lack of a standardised methodology with respect to conducting cabin waste audits and, as a result, harmonised data is not available to underpin decision-making by policymakers, airlines, and caterers regarding waste-related issues. A standardised audit will help solve these issues and enable the sector to demonstrate progress towards waste reduction and improved circularity.

“Managing and reducing waste is an important component of aviation’s overall sustainability. Obtaining standardised and comparable data regarding the composition and quantity of waste from flights will help the industry to reduce the waste it generates. Better data will also help policymakers to harmonise regulations, which in turn can help optimise the industry’s capability to sort, re-cycle and safely re-use waste that cannot be avoided. Working with ASF in developing this audit program is a significant step forward in improving the circularity of the sector,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist.

“The ASF’s mission is to help the aviation sector reduce the levels of cabin waste generated and achieve higher levels of waste recovery and circularity. Working with IATA to develop a cabin waste composition auditing standard for the sector is a significant step forward. Effectively managing cabin waste is a challenge that can be solved with the backing of data. It is the responsibility of the sector and its regulators to come together, understand the problem and align on the needed solutions,” said Matt Crane, ASF’s Founder.

The call came as government and industry officials gathered in Johannesburg for the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference.

“South Africa has vast potential to become a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) producer in the region. And there is a waiting market for SAF as airlines work to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. More than a strategy in support of aviation’s decarbonisation, it is a strategy for economic development and should be a top priority for the new South African government. Across agriculture, energy, and transportation, new jobs and industries are waiting to be created that would not only help fight poverty but also contribute to greater energy independence,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president for sustainability and chief economist.

South Africa chaired the 2022 ICAO Assembly at which governments agreed to a long-term goal aligned with the aviation industry’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 commitment. The role of SAF in achieving this goal was emphasised by the ICAO CAAF/3 objective of a 5% average global reduction in aviation’s carbon emissions by 2030. As decarbonising aviation will require global collaboration, it is critical that global or regional stakeholders like States, development banks, industry, academia and other relevant parties bring forces together to help countries with SAF potential to develop their industry.

“Airlines are ready and waiting to purchase SAF as evidenced by the fact that every drop of SAF produced has been purchased and used. But the production volumes are a minute fraction of what aviation needs. That’s why it is essential for governments of countries with production potential, such as South Africa, to embrace what is a unique win-win-win opportunity for economic development, energy transition, and decarbonised air transportation,” said Thomsen.

IATA highlighted several advantages for South Africa in developing SAF production, which have also been noted by a study undertaken by World Wildlife Fund (WWF):

·         Feedstock Potential: South Africa has an abundance of feedstocks from which SAF can be derived including sugarcane low carbon by-products, and biomass from cleared invasive alien plants (IAPs). With respect to IAPs, harvesting them will come with other environmental benefits such as improved biodiversity and water security. In all cases, no feedstocks would compete with food production for land or water use in line with the ICAO sustainability framework.

·         Significant Production Capacity: The WWF estimates that South Africa has the potential to produce between 3.2 and 4.5 billion litres of SAF annually. This will be more than meet domestic  fuel demand (1.8 billion litres) and present an export opportunity, where policies will be central for realisation. Achieving production at the higher range of potential would require the co-development of a green hydrogen capability.

·         Existing Refinery Infrastructure: South Africa has existing refinery infrastructure which should be explored for brownfield investments—plant conversions or co-processing.

·         Experience: South Africa has long experience in synthetic fuel production, particularly the Fischer-Tropsch method. Moreover, the country’s robust academic and research institutions also have a history of supporting innovations and technology for fuel production. It’s the time we see polices to enable their role in SAF deployment.

·         Strategic Geographic Location: South Africa’s airports, particularly OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport, serve as important hubs for connecting flights within Africa and to other parts of the world.

To capitalise on South Africa’s SAF potential, IATA urges the government to adopt a strategic plan that should include four critical areas:

1.    Industrial Infrastructure: Accelerate the development of production capabilities by using existing industrial infrastructure (brownfield investment) as a competitive advantage in the development and scaling of SAF production.

2.    Pooling Resources: Identify opportunities to develop SAF by encouraging collaboration between the government, private sector, and international partners to pool resources and expertise.

3.    Incentives for Research and Development (R&D): Spur innovation to drive down costs, increase production volumes, and diversify source crops/production methodologies with tax incentives, grants, and subsidies for R&D in SAF technologies.

4.    Investment in Infrastructure: Support the development of necessary infrastructure (greenfield), such as biorefineries and green hydrogen production facilities with tax and other incentives.

How does the market grow at the pace its citizens and government desire, while footing the bill for the carbon emissions this will take?

“There is a challenge to balance the growth along with the climate,” Ekta Agrawal, deputy director, directorate general of Civil Aviation India, told delegates.

And the big question for India is how much and when it should pay for emitting carbon as a developing nation whose air transport industry is far from mature and has players like Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air, among others, that are making significant strides on domestic and international growth with the intention of becoming fully relevant global players.

So, what is the progress India is making on the aviation sustainability front?

Firstly, as Agrawal explained, India is participating in ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) in the mandatory phase in relation to the emissions generated by its international carriers. The country is in the reporting and verification phase at present with carriers likely to begin paying for their emissions from 2027 onwards.

This payment can be made in two ways. “You can purchase carbon emission units to offset the market [impact]. This is like carbon trading, or you can use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce your emissions,” said Agrawal.

In a side-note India is looking at establishing a carbon trading market, with an important question for aviation being whether it is included in such a scheme.

With CORSIA down to handle international emissions, of greater import is the growth of India’s domestic air transport emissions, which will rise exponentially as the hundreds of aircraft ordered by its airlines enter service.

However, with zero SAF production in India today and no desire to hold back the aviation sector, the country is seeking to strike a balance between achieving emissions targets and airline growth.

At present, India’s approach to national emissions control is not sector specific, ie not targeting aviation specifically. However, it will target its growing emissions through the instrument of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), said Agrawal. These are the national climate pledges that articulate how a country will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

However, India has launched “indicative targets” for SAF, she explained. These see a 1% SAF blend for international flights only from 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030. For now, these targets will not apply to domestic flights.

“These targets are not binding. They are to provide a positive signal to the market to bring in investors so [SAF] production starts and will allow India as a country to see how this is rolling out,” said Agrawal.

Some countries, such as the European Union and the UK, have brought in mandates to encourage SAF usage. “Mandates is not the right approach for India right now,” she said.

Tuhin Sen, assistant director, external affairs India, IATA summarised the current state of play in the SAF production landscape in India detailing the pathways, the declared production quanta and indicative project completion timelines. IATA has noted four SAF production projects in the works in India today.

Sen emphasised the importance of availability of SAF in the Indian market. He noted that mandates, if any, must be complemented with incentives to accelerate the production of SAF in the country.

He added that there is a strong alignment of the DGCA and IATA’s stance on SAF in India. Since India does not yet produce a single drop of SAF, the DGCA’s position on “indicative blending targets is a nuanced and a progressive one.”

“Amongst all the options to decarbonise the aviation sector, SAF contributes to around 65-70%, thus, to stimulate the development of SAF production, policy interventions are required either by providing Viability Gap Finance (VGF) for setting up plants or India should introduce an incentive policy [such as the USA has done, providing tax credit incentives], in addition to its indicative blended targets,” said Vineet Bakshi, director business development India, LanzaTech.

Bakshi added: “This policy mix will deliver both a push and a pull in terms of encouraging SAF off takers and investor interest, he explained. Success of renewable power and ethanol blending is testament of such support from the government in the past.”

LanzaTech’s subsidiary, LanzaJet, is exploring the development of SAF production in India following the signing of an MOU with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd in February 2023.

Bakshi said that the combined offering of LanzaTech-LanzaJet has the capability of taking any kind of waste stream and recycled carbon and turning it into SAF. “We firmly believe, in future, SAF through local waste feedstock will be a local solution for decarbonising the aviation sector.

On the airline front, Air India Express, the low-cost arm of Air India, is taking a lead on sustainability with various initiatives, including several “green flights” designed to optimise all aspects of a flight to improve operational efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. explained Captain Pranav Sood, Chief Pilot Technical, Air India Express.

With CORSIA implementation on the horizon, Sood has begun talking to the airline’s finance team to bring them up to date on the cost implications. “I am saying to them we must begin factoring it into our financial planning,” he noted, with a need to model the cost of carbon offsets [and/or the purchase of SAF] later this decade.

“With Air India Express growing at pace, it must be aware of the implications of its growth. The carrier is inducting Boeing 737 Max aircraft into its fleet at a rate of three per month on average over the coming year,” said Sood.

Although it is monitoring SAF projects, such as that being pursued by LanzaJet, today Air India Express is focusing on a raft of operational measures to improve efficiency.

Its first Green Flight was on 19 April this year between capital Delhi and Ranchi in the north-east of the country, some 800 miles. “We optimised every aspect of this flight working with airports, ATC and handlers,” said Sood.

The result was a 53% fuel burn saving compared to a normal flight demonstrating what can be achieved if all stakeholders work together.

The Air India team took this to another level on 5 June with seven Green Flights taking place across the group’s fleet, including widebody aircraft, and 31 different initiatives all aimed at improving efficiency.

“What the efforts showed is that enhancing existing operational procedures can make an impact. “We don’t need to wait for SAF, we don’t need to wait for anyone right now, it’s just the co-ordination of the ecosystem,” said Sood.

“He does not underestimate the challenge, acknowledging that it took a major effort to undertake these Green Flights and get all the different parties on board. And there was still an opportunity for more [efficiencies],” he added.

More Green Flights are on the cards. “We will do it as much as possible but getting the data is the start with the aim of getting everyone to the table, show the numbers and then talk to all stakeholders in the ecosystem,” Sood said.

Concluding the panel, Ekta Agrawal of the DGCA said: “I believe India is already a leader [on sustainability] by making very responsible choices. And I think the most important thing which needs to change is the attitude of the people towards the environment.

“How many people are going to purchase tickets based on I'm saving more fuel or more I'm emitting less than another airline? No, they go for the price, so the attitude of people that needs to change,” she stated.

Voted by industry experts, the award honours the carrier’s strong and agile business model and its dedication to innovation and enhancing connectivity to new and previously underserved markets which has enabled its sustained growth.

Francois Oberholzer, chief financial officer at flydubai, picked up the award and said: “We are pleased to have received this award as it recognises our efforts and longstanding commitment to offering an enhanced and convenient travel experience for our customers. Since 2009, we have seen our fleet and network grow alongside the innovation of our products and services and as we continue to support Dubai’s position as an international aviation hub, we look forward to connecting more passengers from the UAE and around the flydubai network.”