#Sustainability20: China certifies first commercial electric plane & more
Weekly round-up - 10/01/25
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 UK has enforced the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate, requiring 2% SAF in flights departing from airports, progressing to 22% by 2040, potentially reducing emissions by 70%.
NASA has launched the SUMAC project exploring sustainable thermoplastic composites for aircraft manufacturing, focusing on minimising environmental impact through materials innovation until August 2026.
The US Department of Energy announced £6 million funding for biofuel development projects, supporting SAF production through research facilities.
Delta Air Lines and Airbus have announced a collaboration on innovation labs, testing fuel-efficient flying techniques and scaling SAF production through the SAF Hub.
CLIMATE WATCH: Hottest year on record sent planet past 1.5C of heating for first time in 2024 - The Guardian
Global temperatures exceeded the 1.5C target for the first time in 2024, reaching 1.6C above preindustrial levels, driving unprecedented weather events.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Delta Air Lines plans to test the wake energy retrieval flying technique, potentially reducing fuel consumption by 5% by following uplift patterns.
Brisbane Airport has become one of the first Australian airports to achieve net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) through renewable electricity, solar expansion, and electric vehicle adoption.
TAP Air Portugal has earned the IATA Environmental Assessment certification, highlighting sustainability progress through fleet modernisation and waste reduction initiatives.
Airports worldwide have implemented sustainability initiatives whilst managing growth, with Dubai, Dublin and Frankfurt leading innovative environmental programmes.
easyJet has trialled a revolutionary lightweight paint system, projected to save 1,296 tonnes of fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 4,095 tonnes.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Alternative jet fuels have reached 0.5% of global consumption in 2024, with governments implementing mandates requiring increased usage, targeting 70% adoption in the EU.
Moeve and easyJet have partnered to advance SAF usage in Spain through 2030, with a new production facility planned for 0.5 million tonnes.
OXCCU has developed an innovative hydrogen-based SAF production system, claiming 50% lower capital costs compared to the traditional methods.
The Minnesota Sustainable Aviation Fuel Hub has gained Airbus backing, joining the Bank of America and Cargill in developing local sustainable fuel production.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
China has certified The Liaoning General Aviation Academy (LGAA)'s RX4E four-seater electric aircraft for commercial operations, offering a 160-mile range and 120-knot cruise speed for short-haul flights.
BAE Systems has collaborated with Airbus on a microhybridisation project, developing megawatt-class battery systems with 200kWh capacity for electric aircraft.
Lilium has secured investment from the Mobile Uplift Corporation, planning to restart the eVTOL aircraft development and rehire employees following restructuring.
Vertical Aerospace has expanded the VX4 eVTOL testing programme, conducting piloted hover trials and preparing for wingborne flight testing towards certification.
Beta Technologies has doubled its electric aircraft charging network to 46 sites across 22 US states, establishing infrastructure for the emerging aviation sector.
The US Air Force's AFWERX Agility Prime programme has prioritised hybrid-electric aircraft transition, seeking extended range and payload capacity for military use.
Volocopter has entered administration in Germany, continuing operations while seeking new investment by February 2025, reflecting challenges in the eVTOL sector.
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