#Sustainability20: Airbus unveils next-gen single-aisle aircraft, commits to hydrogen & more
Weekly Roundup - 28/03/25
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry updates
The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry is struggling to meet 2030 targets due to slow production growth and high costs, with airlines investing only 1-3% of revenue, according to a BCG report.
IATA supports European airlines’ call to delay 2030 SAF mandates, citing unrealistic targets and lack of availability, despite the industry’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
A new EU project, PACIFIC, is testing SAF compositions to reduce soot and contrail formation, aiming to better understand their climate impact through controlled engine and flight simulations.
IATA has launched the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO) to manage its SAF Registry, a global system tracking SAF transactions and emissions reductions to boost transparency and adoption.
The European Commission and EUROCONTROL have renewed their climate agreement, focusing on monitoring non-CO2 aviation emissions like contrails and NOx to refine policies under the EU Emissions Trading System.
Portugal will invest €15 million in aviation decarbonisation projects, including SAF research, under a new national roadmap aligning with EU sustainability goals.
CLIMATE WATCH: Tackling climate crisis will increase economic growth, OECD research finds - The Guardian
OECD research shows strong climate action boosts GDP growth by 0.23% by 2040, with developing nations seeing a 124% rise in per capita income by 2050 compared to unchecked climate devastation.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Airbus unveiled a next-gen single-aisle aircraft concept with folding wings and hydrogen propulsion, targeting 20-30% fuel savings and aiming for a late-2030s launch alongside SAF compatibility.
Malaysia Aviation Group ordered 30 Boeing 737 MAX jets to modernise its fleet, aiming for 20% lower emissions and meeting rising Southeast Asian travel demand.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Avfuel launched a portal to streamline SAF documentation and carbon offset reporting, supporting operators’ sustainability goals as it expands supply to four new US terminals.
Farnborough Airport plans to buy 12.5 million litres of SAF annually from Hydrogen Refinery, aiming for a 20% blend by 2028 – exceeding UK government targets.
Airbus is testing a ‘Book and Claim’ system to boost SAF adoption, allowing buyers to claim emissions reductions even if fuel is used elsewhere, with seven partners already signed up.
Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways will partner on a Queensland SAF plant using sugarcane bioethanol, targeting 96 million litres annually by 2029 with 70% lower emissions.
Signature Aviation expanded permanent SAF supplies to six European FBOs, including Heathrow and Paris Le Bourget, bringing its global SAF network to 33 locations.
Universal Fuel Technologies completed a five-month SAF pilot, producing synthetic aromatics for drop-in jet fuel, potentially halving costs and simplifying logistics for HEFA and FT plants.
Caltech researchers have developed a solar-powered reactor that converts ethylene into jet fuel using sunlight-driven heat, eliminating fossil fuels. The modular design could scale up for sustainable aviation fuel production.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Lyte Aviation partnered with LynePorts and Bluenest to develop Middle East vertiports for its hydrogen-electric SkyBus and SkyTruck VTOLs, with preorders worth €920 million.
AMSL Aero is building a hydrogen-powered Vertiia eVTOL prototype after 100 battery-electric test flights, targeting 1,000 km range for medical and regional transport at 70% lower costs than helicopters.
EHang formed a joint venture with JAC Motors to mass-produce eVTOLs in China, following Europe’s first urban unmanned flight test in Spain.
ZeroAvia is awarded U.S. Air Force grant for autonomous hydrogen-electric aircraft - CompositesWorld
ZeroAvia won an AFWERX grant to study hydrogen-electric propulsion for autonomous Cessna Caravans, aiming for stealth and 2,000-nautical-mile range with Reliable Robotics’ flight systems.
H55’s electric Bristell B23 Energic will tour the US in 2025, showcasing certified zero-emission flight for training and general aviation ahead of 2026 deliveries.
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