Sustainable Aviation News - May Edition

Discover the latest sustainable aviation news worldwide ?? from a new flight emissions label to SAF collaborations and much more!

IATA Wings Of Change: delving into african aviation's resilience & sustainability.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will continue its efforts to address various challenges faced in Africa for a sustainable aviation market.

?? Key points

• Africa's aviation industry has significant growth potential but faces challenges such as infrastructure constraints, high costs, and lack of connectivity.
• IATA's Focus Africa initiative aims to enhance safety, sustainability, and economic development in the African aviation sector.
• The African aviation sector is expected to triple in job creation and economic activity over the next 30 years, with projections indicating substantial growth in passenger numbers and economic contributions.
• The Wings of Change Focus Africa (WOCFA) conference addresses critical areas, including safety, security, sustainability, economic development, and industry resilience.
• The initiative targets challenges like insufficient infrastructure, high operational costs, poor connectivity, and financial distribution issues, aiming to improve the overall efficiency and growth of Africa's aviation market.

Read the full article ?? IATA Wings Of Change: Delving Into African Aviation's Resilience & Sustainability by Simple Flying

Dubai’s SAF One and India’s GPS Renewables collaborate to produce SAF in India.

Indian biofuels company GPS Renewables has partnered with Dubai-based SAF One to develop a SAF plant in India, capable of producing 20-30 million liters of low-carbon fuel annually from lignocellulosic waste feedstock.

?? Key points

• As the world's third-largest and one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, India is witnessing significant expansion, with major airlines like IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) and Air India Limited Group placing substantial orders for new aircraft.
• India aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and is planning to mandate the use of 1-5% blended SAF starting in 2027 to reduce aviation emissions.
• GPS Renewables, already prominent in biofuels and green energy projects in India, will leverage its expertise to support the production of SAF, enhancing India's transition to clean energy.

Read the full article ?? Dubai’s SAF One and India’s GPS Renewables collaborate to produce SAF in India report by GreenAir news - Christopher Surgenor

EU's New Flight Emissions Label empowers passengers to make sustainable choices.

The European Commission announced a Voluntary Flight Emissions Label set to launch in early 2025, aiming to provide passengers with transparent and accurate data about the environmental impact of their flights.

?? Key points

• The initiative, unveiled by Guillermo Rebollo de Garay at the SAF EU Congress, seeks to combat greenwashing and empower consumers to make informed, sustainable choices based on credible environmental claims.
• EU research shows 93% of citizens view climate change as serious, and 88% support achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
• The label will use a comprehensive methodology to calculate emissions, including factors like aircraft type, passenger count, and fuel consumption, with participating airlines displaying the labels digitally.

Read the full article ?? EU's New Flight Emissions Label Empowers Passengers to Make Sustainable Choices report by Sustainability In The Air

Philippine Airlines first in Asia to use SkyBreathe?OnBoard.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) partnered with OpenAirlines to integrate SkyBreathe? OnBoard, a tool that provides pilots with real-time fuel-saving data.

?? Key points

• PAL is the first Asian airline to implement SkyBreathe? OnBoard, enhancing fuel efficiency and sustainability. This initiative supports PAL's commitment to environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.
• The move aligns with the aviation industry's focus on sustainability, showcasing the role of digital solutions in reducing CO2 emissions.

Read the full article ?? Philippine Airlines First in Asia to Use SkyBreathe? OnBoard report by Business News Asia

Avfuel Goes for SAF Gold in Paris.

Ahead of the start of the Paris Summer Olympic Games in July, Avfuel announced it will establish permanent supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at three airports in France.

?? Key points

• Avfuel has begun supplying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Paris Le Bourget and two other French airports. This initiative is timely, supporting aircraft operating during the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
• The SAF supply at these airports aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner aviation fuel alternatives. Providing SAF at key locations enhances convenience for operators seeking sustainable fuel options.
• Avfuel's expansion of SAF availability underscores its role in leading the aviation industry's shift towards greener practices.

Read the full article ?? Avfuel Goes for SAF Gold in Paris by AIN Online

IATA calls for more research on contrails as EU pushes for tighter regulation.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) calls for more research on contrails as the EU plans to enforce regulations on contrail monitoring from 2025, including non-CO2 emissions.

?? Key points

• Studies suggest contrails contribute 57% of aviation's warming impact, highlighting the need for better understanding and management.
• Potential solutions include using clean fuels and rerouting flights in cold, humid areas to reduce contrail formation.
• The EU's initiative aims to ensure accurate monitoring and reduction of contrail-related climate impacts as part of broader aviation sustainability efforts.
• Ensuring credible environmental claims and data is crucial for enabling consumers and industry stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Read the full article ?? IATA Calls For More Research On Contrails As EU Pushes For Tighter Regulation by Simple Flying

Understanding contrails: today's initiatives and future perspectives.

Contrails formed by aircraft exhaust have significant environmental impacts, contributing to aviation's climate footprint.

?? Key points

• The EU plans to monitor and regulate contrails, integrating non-CO2 emissions into its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
• Initiatives by Boeing, NASA, FAA, Google, and MIT are focused on studying and mitigating contrails through data-driven methods and advanced technologies.
• Strategies include banning flights over climate-sensitive regions and planning flight trajectories to avoid Ice Super Saturated Regions (ISSRs).
• Effective contrail avoidance requires precise ISSR predictions and collaborative efforts among airlines, regulators, and researchers.

Read the full article ??Understanding Contrails: today's initiatives and future perspectives by OpenAirlines

How SAF can become cost competitive against conventional fuel.

SAF has been highlighted as an eligible option for carriers to meet their obligations under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)

?? Key points

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is currently more expensive than standard jet fuel, costing around $1.1 per liter compared to $0.5 per liter for conventional jet fuel.
• With an annual cost escalation factor of 2.25% for SAF and 1% for conventional jet fuel, prices are expected to equalize by 2037.
• Significant private funding, such as LanzaJet 's $50 million grant from Breakthrough Energy, can accelerate SAF development and make it more competitive with traditional fuel.
• Effective policies are crucial for promoting SAF adoption. The IATA projects that with proper support, SAF could comprise 2% of all aviation fuel by 2025.
• Airlines face challenges with the high cost and procurement of SAF but recognize its importance for meeting carbon reduction targets under initiatives like CORSIA. The rise in conventional jet fuel prices due to global crises also highlights the potential long-term benefits of SAF.

Read the full article ?? How SAF Can Become Cost Competitive Against Conventional Fuel by Simple Flying

Climate change is fuelling turbulence and posing threats to South Asian aviation.

Experts highlight links between rising temperatures, carbon emissions and increased likelihood of clear air turbulence – an unexpected and severe form of turbulence that can result in serious injuries.

?? Key points

• Climate change is increasing clear-air turbulence (CAT), posing greater risks for South Asian aviation, with more frequent and severe turbulence incidents.
• Studies show rising temperatures and carbon emissions enhance wind shear in jet streams, exacerbating CAT globally, particularly over busy airspaces.
• Airlines in South Asia face heightened turbulence risks, impacting passenger safety and flight operations, especially around major airports.
• Experts call for improved early warning systems and equipping aircraft with better detection instruments to manage turbulence effectively.
• Despite these challenges, South Asian aviation is expected to grow significantly, needing proactive measures to mitigate climate change impacts.

Read the full article ?? Climate change is fuelling turbulence and posing threats to South Asian aviation by Eco-Business

Thank you for reading our quick Sustainable Aviation News May 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