#Sustainability20: Delta partners with JetZero to develop fuel-efficient blended-wing aircraft & more
Weekly Roundup - 07/03/25
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
Delta Air Lines and JetZero have announced a partnership to design blended-wing aircraft, aiming for 50% greater fuel efficiency and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050.
Avinor and Norway’s Civil Aviation Authority have partnered with BETA Technologies and Bristow Norway to develop Norway as a test site for zero-emission aviation, with demonstration flights starting in late 2025.
IATA Director General Willie Walsh has stated that the aviation industry may need to revisit its 2050 net-zero target due to slow progress on SAF production and regulatory challenges.
The US has objected to a UN ICAO recommendation on sustainable aviation fuels, arguing it unfairly penalises US farmers and disproportionately benefits Brazil, highlighting global tensions over SAF policies.
Why airlines are revising green transition plans as SAF production fails to take off - Flight Global
Airlines struggle to meet climate targets due to aircraft delivery delays and insufficient SAF production. Despite European mandates requiring SAF usage, synthetic fuel development is lagging, with limited investment from traditional fuel companies hampering progress.
CLIMATE WATCH: 150 Years of Change: How Old Photos, Recaptured, Reveal a Shifting Climate - The New York Times
Scientists are recreating historical photographs in Utah's Uinta Mountains to document climate change effects, revealing accelerated tree line advancement and ecosystem shifts that threaten unique alpine habitats and species.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
JetWind has deployed energy-capturing pods at Dallas Love Field Airport, harnessing wind from idling aircraft engines to generate renewable energy, reducing the airport’s carbon footprint.
Muirhead has launched BioPRO, a sustainable aviation seat foam made with 20% protein content, reducing carbon emissions and offering zero-waste production, tailored to meet aviation standards.
The New Terminal One at JFK Airport has announced ambitious sustainability goals, including a 90% waste diversion rate and a 12-megawatt microgrid, set to open in 2026.
Gen Phoenix has highlighted the potential of sustainable materials like recycled leather to reduce aircraft weight and emissions, offering significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
The UK government has launched a consultation on funding a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF producers, aiming to boost domestic production and meet its 10% SAF mandate by 2030.
IAG has revealed it used 16% of the world’s SAF supply in 2024, despite being a smaller airline group, highlighting the challenges of meeting EU and UK SAF mandates.
Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia will receive the country’s first SAF supply, produced from used cooking oil, as part of a sustainable tourism development project.
Cosmo Energy Holdings has announced Japan’s first domestic SAF production, using used cooking oil, aiming to meet 10% of the country’s jet fuel demand by 2030.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Beta Technologies has rolled out its second Alia CX300 electric aircraft, set for cargo demonstration flights in Norway in 2025, with FAA certification expected this year.
Abu Dhabi Aviation has partnered with Archer Aviation to launch Midnight eVTOL aircraft in the UAE, with plans for passenger flights by the end of 2025.
Vaeridion is developing a 9-seater electric microliner for short-haul flights, targeting regional markets in Europe, with test flights planned for 2027 and commercial delivery by 2030.
Orlando International Airport has identified potential sites for a vertiport to support advanced air mobility, aiming to integrate eVTOL aircraft into its operations.
EHang has completed Europe’s first urban flight of its pilotless EH216-S eVTOL in Benidorm, Spain, marking a milestone in the integration of unmanned aircraft into urban airspace.
ATR has delayed its hybrid-electric Evo aircraft to 2035, citing technology maturity issues, and will focus on evolving existing engines rather than developing a clean-sheet design.
Apus Zero Emission has entered provisional insolvency due to financial difficulties, reflecting broader challenges in the hydrogen aviation sector, though test flights of its I-2 model may continue.
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