The future takes flight: 5 innovators leading aviation’s green revolution at Paris Air Show
Electric and hydrogen propulsion; blended-wing bodies; and eVTOLs take centre stage as aviation’s decarbonisation efforts reach critical momentum.
Every two years, the aviation industry meets at Paris-Le Bourget Airport for the Paris Air Show, where manufacturers unveil their latest innovations and chart the future of aviation.
This year, the companies taking centre stage represent a diverse array of approaches to aviation’s decarbonisation challenge—from hydrogen propulsion and electric aircraft to revolutionary airframe designs.
Many of these innovators, featured in our book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two, have made significant strides since our previous coverage, moving from proof-of-concept flights to manufacturing facilities and certification milestones. Yet each faces distinct challenges on the path to widespread adoption.
1. Heart Aerospace: Rewriting aerospace development rules
Heart Aerospace represents perhaps the most dramatic transformation among sustainable aviation companies, relocating entirely from Sweden to Los Angeles whilst fundamentally changing how aerospace companies operate in the 21st century. CEO Anders Forslund argues that “product development has changed drastically in the last 10 years,” positioning his company at the forefront of aerospace modernisation.
The company prioritises technology expertise over conventional aerospace backgrounds, drawing talent from SpaceX and Tesla. Heart emphasises what Forslund calls “software-first thinking” over the industry’s traditional documentation-heavy approach.
In 2024, Heart unveiled its first full-scale demonstrator airplane, marking a major milestone in the development of its 30-seat regional airliner, the ES-30.
2. JetZero: Revolutionary aircraft technology and design
JetZero’s blended wing body (BWB) aircraft represents a fundamental departure from conventional aviation design. CEO Tom O’Leary promises up to 50% fuel savings through aerodynamic redesign that moves away from the tube-and-wing configuration dominating commercial aviation for decades.
The company wants to address aviation’s growth-versus-sustainability paradox, noting that passenger demand is projected to double by 2045 whilst requiring net zero emissions. O’Leary argues that incremental improvements cannot bridge this gap, positioning BWB technology as essential for reconciling growth with environmental goals.
JetZero’s partnerships with the US Air Force and NASA provide both funding and credibility, whilst commercial partnerships with Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines offer market validation. The company has also assembled an impressive advisory board featuring aerospace legends including the original BWB inventor.
3. Embraer: Multi-pronged approach to sustainability
Embraer represents how established manufacturers are adapting to sustainability imperatives through portfolio diversification. The company is pursuing multiple parallel tracks: the E2 family as the world’s quietest commercial jet; the Energia project for regional air mobility; and Eve Air Mobility for eVTOLs with urban applications.
Since its launch in 2021, the Energia project has significantly expanded—growing from a 30-seat aircraft focus to include 50-seat concepts—while also broadening its technological exploration to encompass hydrogen gas turbine and dual-fuel approaches alongside hybrid-electric and fuel cell technologies.
Eve Air Mobility represents Embraer’s near-term commercial opportunity, plans for test flights to begin this summer using five to six prototypes. The company expects to conduct “thousands” of test flights between 2025 and 2026, emphasising methodical testing over speed to certification.
4. ZeroAvia: Hydrogen aviation’s commercial pioneer
ZeroAvia has emerged as hydrogen aviation’s most commercially advanced player. The company now boasts 3,000 engine orders with airlines and OEMs, worth $10 billion.
Beyond impressive order books, ZeroAvia has established manufacturing centres of excellence in Seattle and Glasgow. This geographic distribution reflects strategic hedging, maintaining a strong UK presence whilst expanding US operations to benefit from supportive policies in both regions.
Moreover, ZeroAvia has achieved a G1 certification basis approval with the FAA in January for its 600-kilowatt electric propulsion system, and is also on its path to certifying its first full hydrogen-electric powertrain.
5. Archer: eVTOL momentum building
Archer’s Midnight aircraft targets urban air mobility with ambitious deployment timelines, including serving as the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The company’s approach emphasises rapid commercialisation, promising to replace 60-90 minute car commutes with 10-minute flights.
Partnerships with United Airlines and Southwest Airlines provide commercial validation, whilst agreements with Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation address charging infrastructure requirements.
Archer received Part 135 air carrier and operator certificate from the FAA last year and plans to launch home-to-airport eVTOL services.
Industry transformation signals
The Paris Air Show marks a pivotal moment as diverse sustainable aviation technologies near commercial readiness. This convergence signals that the 2020s could be a defining decade for aviation—provided the industry can successfully manage the transition from innovation to large-scale implementation.
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