#Sustainability20: Electra secures $115m to accelerate development of hybrid-electric aircraft & more
Weekly Roundup - 25/04/25
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
Wizz Air has launched its “Flying Towards Net Zero” roadmap, targeting 90% emissions cuts by 2050 primarily through SAF, while urging faster industry action and government support to scale production.
United Airlines Ventures has invested in JetZero’s blended-wing aircraft, which could cut fuel use by 50%. The design fits existing infrastructure and may enter service post-2027 if performance targets are met.
ICAO has urged member states to oppose aviation taxes, arguing they undermine CORSIA’s global market-based approach to emissions reduction, developed over decades to avoid fragmented regional measures.
EVA Air has secured SAF supply deals with AEG FUELS, COSMO, and Formosa Petrochemical, expanding usage in Europe, North America, and Asia to meet its net-zero commitment by 2050.
Boeing has paused its X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator to focus on 777X and 737 MAX certifications, but will continue developing thin-wing tech for future fuel-efficient aircraft.
CLIMATE WATCH: More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record - The Guardian
A record 84% of global coral reefs have suffered bleaching due to extreme ocean heat, with scientists warning repeated stress threatens marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Red Sea International Airport, designed for sustainability, features decentralised terminals and direct luggage-to-hotel transfers, supporting Saudi Arabia’s tourism-driven Vision 2030 economic diversification.
Dallas Fort Worth Airport is engaging schools with sustainability workshops and kits, alongside fleet electrification and renewable energy projects, to foster eco-awareness in future generations.
SLO County Airport has launched solar carports, EV charging, and water-saving initiatives as part of a long-term decarbonisation plan to reduce its environmental footprint.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Biofuel advocates are pushing for expanded domestic markets as Trump’s tariffs disrupt farm exports, positioning ethanol and SAF as solutions to offset rural economic losses.
Japan’s Revo International has opened an SAF plant in Aichi, using low-energy UCO conversion, with plans to supply Chubu Airport pending Corsia and ASTM certification.
OXCCU’s Oxford-based demo plant converts CO2 and hydrogen into SAF in one step, offering a cheaper alternative to traditional methods, with commercial scaling planned by 2026.
Heritage Aviation has introduced SAF at Vermont’s Burlington Airport, becoming Avfuel’s first Northeast partner to offer the fuel, cutting lifecycle emissions by up to 24%.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Electra Aero has raised $115M to advance its hybrid-electric EL9 aircraft, targeting 2029 certification for short-runway operations in both commercial and defence sectors.
Supernal’s S-A2 eVTOL demonstrator completed its first tethered flight in March, marking progress toward a 2028 certification goal for the Hyundai-backed air taxi.
ZeroAvia is converting its Dornier 228 testbed to liquid hydrogen, aiming for 2026 certification of its ZA600 powertrain for Cessna Grand Caravan operations.
SiriNor completes ground testing of world's first emission-free electric jet engine - ET TravelWorld
India-Norway startup SiriNor has tested an electric jet engine at TRL6, aiming to commercialise it for UAVs by 2026 and regional aircraft by 2030.
China’s RX4E, the world’s first certified four-seat electric aircraft, debuted at Aero Friedrichshafen, with commercial rollout planned for late 2025.
Airbus has slowed its hydrogen aircraft program after investing $1.7B, citing delayed hydrogen infrastructure and shifting focus to fuel-cell scalability.
Abu Dhabi’s cruise terminal helipad will be upgraded for eVTOLs under GCAA’s new hybrid infrastructure standards, with Archer Aviation eyeing 2026 commercial ops.
NASA’s solid-state sulfur-selenium battery could revolutionise electric aviation with higher energy density and safety, though scaling for long-haul flights remains a hurdle.