Stay updated on the latest news in sustainable aviation globally ?? from hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies to SAF developments and more!
Indonesia to transform coconuts into SAF.
Indonesia, the world's second-largest coconut producer, plans to develop sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from coconuts to boost exports and support global decarbonization.
- In 2023, Indonesia produced 2.8 million tons of coconuts, with exports valued at USD 1.55 billion, representing 38.3% of the global market.
- Approximately 20-30% of coconuts are unsuitable for consumption and can be used as SAF feedstock. Indonesia validated coconut-based SAF production earlier in the year.
- President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of adding value to coconuts for job creation, with a focus on converting coconut waste into bioenergy and SAF.
- Other countries, including the U.S. and Japan, are also exploring coconut-based SAF development.
KLM & ZeroAvia Announce Planned Liquid Hydrogen Demonstration Flight.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
and
ZeroAvia
, a hydrogen-electric propulsion innovator, have announced a partnership at the Farnborough International Airshow.
- KLM and ZeroAvia announced a partnership to collaborate on a hydrogen-electric propulsion demonstration flight in two years.
- The collaboration will focus on obtaining regulatory permits, ensuring a supply of liquid hydrogen, and establishing the necessary infrastructure for aircraft fueling with hydrogen-electric engines.
- ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen-electric engines for 40-80 seat aircraft, targeting completion by 2027. These hydrogen-electric engines aim to reduce climate impact by nearly 90% compared to traditional kerosene-fueled flights, with only low-temperature water vapor as emissions.
- This partnership with KLM is expected to pave the way for similar projects across the EU.
South Africa could produce up to 4.5bn litres of SAF annually as IATA urges development priority.
The
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
has urged South Africa’s new government to prioritize the development of SAF to help meet surging global demand from airlines.
- Producing SAF could generate significant economic benefits, with potential production of up to 4.5 billion liters annually from local feedstocks like sugarcane by-products and biomass waste, according to a World Wildlife Fund study.
- IATA data indicates a 14.4% year-on-year increase in demand for African airlines in May, with South Africa's aviation sector expected to add 345 million passenger journeys by 2043, boosting GDP and job creation.
- IATA emphasizes the need for government support to develop SAF production facilities, encourage private sector collaboration, and provide incentives for research and development to lower costs and increase production volumes.
- To achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, IATA calls for a strategic focus on utilizing existing refinery infrastructure, developing new biorefineries and green hydrogen production, and diversifying fuel sources and production methods.
67% Of Aviation's Contrail Pollution In Europe Not Covered By New EU Commission Rule.
The European Union's new Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) framework for non-CO2 emissions will exempt long-haul flights, a decision that has sparked controversy.
- Excluding long-haul flights means around 67% of contrail warming impacts will be excluded, according to Transport & Environment. None of the top 20 most polluting European routes fall under the MRV framework until 2027, significantly reducing its scope.
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) opposes the full implementation of the MRV framework, citing a lack of scientific consensus on non-CO2 emissions. In contrast, low-cost airlines like
Ryanair
and
easyJet
support the framework to better understand and mitigate contrail impacts.
- The EU has launched a public consultation on the MRV framework, ending July 29, with hopes that the decision to exempt long-haul flights will be reversed.
Introducing the new SkyBreathe? Benchmark Module.
OpenAirlines has announced the launch of the enhanced SkyBreathe? Benchmark module, which allows airlines to compare their fuel efficiency anonymously with the SkyBreathe? Users Community.
- SkyBreathe? Benchmark module helps airlines identify how their fuel-saving strategies compare to the market, enabling them to spot potential fuel savings and specific areas for improvement.
- The tool allows airlines to observe global aviation fuel efficiency trends, understand their position within the industry, and chart progress towards better fuel efficiency practices.
- Airlines can analyze their performance on eco-flying practices not yet implemented and estimate potential savings. The module also helps evaluate environmental performance and net zero commitment status.
- The module ensures data privacy through anonymization and uses data from over 44 airlines, representing more than 10 million flights, to provide comprehensive fuel efficiency insights.
Airbus A321XLR receives EASA type certification.
The
Airbus
A321XLR, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, has received Type Certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency
- The A321XLR, described as a differentiated product, offers airlines new growth opportunities, thanks to its long range and efficiency. It burns 30% less fuel per seat compared to previous generation competitor aircraft.
- It can complement widebody aircraft in an airline’s fleet, providing flexibility to add capacity, open new routes, or maintain existing ones with variable demand, all at about half the trip cost of modern widebodies.
- The aircraft's new Airspace cabin is designed to provide long-haul comfort across all classes, enhancing the passenger experience.
- The A321XLR completed its maiden flight in June 2022, followed by an extensive test program with three test aircraft. To date, more than 500 A321XLRs have been ordered, marking significant market interest and demand.
American commits to conditional purchase of 100 ZeroAvia hydrogen-powered engines.
American Airlines has entered a conditional purchase agreement with ZeroAvia for 100 hydrogen-electric engines to power regional jets with zero inflight emissions, except for water vapor.
- Alongside the purchase agreement, American has increased its investment in
ZeroAvia
. This follows their initial investment and a Memorandum of Understanding from 2022.
- ZeroAvia is currently flight-testing a prototype for a 20-seat plane and designing engines for larger aircraft like the Bombardier CRJ700 used by American.
- These engines use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, powering the aircraft's propellers, and emitting only low-temperature water vapor. This technology aligns with American's goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Collaboration to decarbonize air transport increases across the Asia-Pacific region.
Momentum is building in the Asia-Pacific region around improving the sustainability of the aviation sector and the use of sustainable aviation fuels.
-
国泰航空
and
新加坡航空
have signed an MoU to collaborate on sustainability measures, promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and advocating for supportive policies and a global accounting framework.
- Korean Air is partnering with CEVA Logistics to expand its cargo SAF program, with CEVA supporting SAF use and sharing emissions reductions, enhancing collaboration for decarbonizing air freight.
-
Vietnam Airlines
joined IATA’s CO2 Connect platform and conducted its first SAF flight using Neste's blend.
-
Emirates
received its first shipment of SAF by Neste in Singapore, marking its initial SAF procurement in Asia. The airline aims to establish long-term SAF supply agreements to scale up its use.
-
Air New Zealand
received 500,000 liters of SAF produced by EcoCeres in China, blended by ExxonMobil.
Airbus, Aena, Air Nostrum, Iberia, Exolum and Repsol join forces to study the creation of the first aviation hydrogen hub in Spain.
Important stakeholders are collaborating to establish Spain's first hydrogen airport hub, aiming to support hydrogen-powered aviation.
- This partnership covers the entire value chain from energy production to hydrogen ground operations and includes two airlines and multiple airports, providing a holistic approach to integrating hydrogen-powered aircraft into the airport ecosystem.
- The project leverages Spain's potential in renewable and low-carbon hydrogen production to establish an end-to-end hydrogen supply chain for airports.
- Airbus's "Hydrogen Hub at Airports" program promotes hydrogen infrastructure in aviation, with agreements already in place in 13 countries, including Spain, to advance the use of hydrogen in the sector.
Understanding the ReFuel EU Aviation policy.
As the aviation industry grapples with the urgent need to reduce its carbon footprint, the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation initiative emerges as a policy driving changes toward sustainability.?
- ReFuel EU Aviation is a crucial part of the EU's climate policy under the "Fit for 55" package, aiming to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 by promoting the use of SAF.
- The policy mandates a gradual increase in SAF use, starting with a 2% blend by 2025, increasing to 6% by 2030, and reaching 70% by 2050.
- Airlines must uplift at least 90% of the yearly required aviation fuel at each EU airport to prevent tankering practices.
- Airlines must report on their 2024 activities by March 31, 2025, verified by a third-party, using the ReFuel EU reporting tool. Non-compliance will result in penalties, at least twice the yearly average price of conventional jet fuel multiplied by the SAF shortfall.
FlyingGreen - EUROCONTROL’s platform of sustainability services goes live!
EUROCONTROL has just launched FlyingGreen, a one stop shop platform offering data and tools to support informed decision-making in aviation on decarbonization strategies.
- The platform includes an emissions forecasting toolkit, a green energy transition tool, a climate risk pre-screening tool, and a fund pathfinder with guidance on the EU's sustainable financing regulations called Bluebook.
-
EUROCONTROL
's Bluebook guides aviation stakeholders through EU sustainable financing regulations, focusing on the EU taxonomy and Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Directive (CSRD).
- The platform will continue to evolve with input from over 100 stakeholders, adding functionalities like a library of best practices, case studies, and resources for climate risk assessments.
Thank you for reading our quick Sustainable Aviation News July recap.
Do you have other "must-know" updates from the industry?
Please share it with us in the comments, we'll be thrilled to know more about it!
?? See you next month #Avgeeks
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