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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
