Sustainable Aviation

EU alliance seeks to prepare aviation sector for clean aircraft roll out

A new EU-funded alliance aims to prepare the bloc for the introduction of zero-emission aircraft by upgrading Europe’s aviation infrastructure to meet the needs of electric and hydrogen-powered jets.

Climate impact of flying could be two thirds higher than thought

The EU's proposed green aviation law overlooks the true climate cost of flying, with the non-CO2 effects of air travel producing two to four times the impact of carbon emissions, a Greens MEP has said.

First clean jets will be ready for commercial flight by 2035, industry says

Carbon-emission free aircraft – either electric or hydrogen-powered – will be developed within six years, with the first jets commercially carrying passengers "from 2035 onwards," industry experts have forecast.

Airbus to test hydrogen jet engine in step towards zero emission aviation

Airbus has announced plans to test a hydrogen-powered jet engine by the middle of the decade, as the world’s largest plane manufacturer pushes to meet its 2035 deadline of building a zero emission aircraft.

World airlines commit to ‘net zero’ CO2 emissions by 2050

The world's airlines made a joint pledge Monday (4 October) to reach "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050, as the aviation industry ramps up efforts to curb its contribution to global warming.

EU green jet fuel proposal shuns crop-based biofuels, focuses on next generation

Proposed EU legislation aimed at cutting flight emissions by ramping up the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) has excluded the use of first-generation biofuels, arguing they bring "limited environmental benefits".

Rolls-Royce partners with Shell in sustainable aviation fuel push

British engineering company Rolls-Royce has said it will partner with oil company Shell to work on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in line with both firms' plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Parliament on collision course with EU member states over airspace reform

The European Parliament’s recently agreed position on reforming Europe's airspace backs a number of items rejected by EU countries, setting up a showdown between MEPs and member states over the Single European Sky initiative 2+ (SES).

Airbus tells EU hydrogen won’t be widely used in planes before 2050

Most airliners will rely on traditional jet engines until at least 2050, with the introduction of zero-emissions hydrogen limited to regional and short-range planes, Airbus told European Union officials in a briefing released on Thursday (10 June).

Danish air force acquires two electric planes

The Danish air force will acquire two light electric planes, the defence ministry announced Thursday in what it said was a world first for a military force and part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Germany charges ahead in decarbonising domestic flights with new e-fuel roadmap

One third of fuel used in domestic flights by 2030 will come from sustainable sources, according to a new German roadmap on the market ramp-up of power-to-liquid (PtL) kerosene unveiled on Friday (7 May).

EU considers applying green jet fuel mandate to all departing flights

The European Commission has confirmed that the upcoming ReFuelEU Aviation initiative will impose a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending mandate, with the EU executive suggesting it will apply to all flights taking off from European airports, regardless of whether their destination is inside the bloc.

EU planning staggered increase in use of green jet fuel

The EU’s upcoming ReFuelEU proposal, aimed at cutting emissions in the aviation sector, will apply a staggered blending mandate for green jet fuel, with the percentage scaling up in roughly five-year intervals, EURACTIV understands.

Long-haul airlines seek exclusion from EU green jet fuel mandate

The aviation industry is divided on whether an expected EU mandate on green jet fuel should include all flights departing from the bloc or be restricted to inter-EU flights, with the fault line running largely between budget airlines and legacy carriers.

FedEx unveils $2 billion plan to become carbon neutral by 2040

International delivery company FedEx has announced it will invest $2 billion (€1.66bn) to make its global operations carbon neutral by 2040, a task that will involve cutting the emissions of the company’s 70 aircraft and more than 30,000 vehicles operating in Europe.

EU announces fresh funding for ‘disruptive’ research into clean aircraft

The European Commission announced on Tuesday (23 February) that it will finance the development of new aircraft powered by clean fuel sources, in a bid to cut aviation emissions by 2050.

Airline industry charts path to carbon neutrality by 2050

The European airline industry has launched a sustainability plan to achieve carbon neutrality in the aviation sector by 2050, a roadmap they say will align the notoriously carbon-intensive sector, currently suffering a huge pandemic-caused downturn, with EU climate goals.

Parliament passes measures to prevent return of ‘ghost flights’

The European Parliament approved a revamp of the EU's “use it or lose it” waiver for airport slot rules on Thursday (11 February), a measure first introduced in March 2020 to stop pandemic-hit airlines from flying almost empty planes to maintain access to ports.

Eight EU countries call for green fuel to be mandatory in European aircraft

Ministers from eight European countries have called on the European Commission to boost the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) by requiring them to be blended into kerosene, a move they say will drive down emissions in the sector.

Boeing planning to debut 100% biofuel planes by 2030

Boeing Co has unveiled plans to deliver commercial aircraft capable of using 100% biofuel by 2030. Using existing technologies under current regulations, it can only use biofuel blends of up to 50%.

Shell pulls out of joint venture to build UK sustainable jet fuels plant

Shell has pulled out of a joint venture with British Airways and Velocys to build a flagship sustainable jet fuels plant in the UK – in a blow to Boris Johnson’s claims that Britain could deliver the world’s first zero-emission long-haul flight, reports EURACTIV's media partner, The Guardian Environment.

Airlines join NGO calls for tougher EU biofuel regulations

Major airlines, including Easyjet, KLM and Air France, have joined with environmental NGOs to call for stricter policies on biofuels and reduce the aviation sector's environmental impact.

Airbus reveals hydrogen ‘plane pods’ concept

European aerospace giant Airbus revealed more details about its hydrogen aircraft project on Thursday (17 December), which could include a propeller-driven plane "unlike anything seen on today’s runways".