#Sustainability20: GE Aerospace to invest $300M in Beta Technologies and pair up on hybrid-electric power & more
Weekly Roundup - 12/09/25
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
Transport & Environment has recommended that the EU’s Sustainable Transport Investment Plan should prioritise e-fuels for aviation and shipping and secure funding for clean transport infrastructure.
Greenwashing litigation against airlines has increased due to misleading environmental claims and new EU and UK regulations enforcing greater corporate transparency.
CLIMATE WATCH: Carbon emissions from oil giants directly linked to dozens of deadly heatwaves for first time - The Guardian
A new study has directly linked carbon emissions from major fossil fuel firms to dozens of deadly heatwaves, potentially strengthening legal claims for climate damages.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
Copenhagen Airport has implemented EmissionsControl technology from Assaia, becoming the first globally to implement AI-powered technology for real-time monitoring of aircraft auxiliary power unit emissions.
London Gatwick Airport has reported a marked rise in rail travel among Gen Z passengers, with over half now choosing to reach the airport by train.
JetBlue has become the first US airline to integrate a new app that provides pilots with personalised fuel-saving recommendations to reduce emissions.
Jet2 has electrified over half of its owned ground service equipment and has detailed a roadmap to reach a 99% emissions reduction from its GSE by 2035.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
bp has successfully led a taskforce to gain UK Ministry of Defence approval for co-processing SAF at a significantly higher 30% concentration.
Southeast Asia is positioned to become a net exporter of SAF to markets like Europe as its production capacity is projected to exceed regional demand.
Axens has successfully started up a revamped unit in Asia with the unique capability to entirely convert renewable feedstock into 100% SAF.
The US Department of Energy has awarded funding to two research projects investigating novel methods for producing SAF.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
GE Aerospace has announced a strategic partnership and a $300 million equity investment in BETA Technologies to co-develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator.
Researchers in the BALIS project have for the first time achieved an output of more than one megawatt from a hydrogen fuel cell system.
Pratt & Whitney Canada will lead a European Clean Aviation project to design a hybrid-electric propulsion demonstrator for regional aircraft.
Skyports has been appointed to lead the development of Korea’s first commercial vertiport network on Jeju Island, with operations anticipated by 2028.
Vertical Aerospace’s eVTOL aircraft nears first full transition flight - Aviation International News
Vertical Aerospace has completed stable wingborne flight testing with its VX4 eVTOL prototype, marking a key milestone ahead of transition trials.
Hyundai’s air taxi startup Supernal has paused its aircraft programme following the departure of its CEO and CTO.
Advent Technologies has delivered redesigned hydrogen fuel cells to Airbus, achieving higher power density and improved system efficiency for aviation.
Skyportz has unveiled a new animation showcasing its patented vertipad design, which disrupts vortices to reduce outwash in urban environments.
Robo.ai and Ewatt Aerospace have formed a joint venture named RoVTOL to advance the global deployment of eVTOL aircraft from the UAE.
The Royal NLR’s HYDRA II drone has completed its first successful test flights in Dutch airspace using liquid hydrogen as a fuel source.