In a joint statement at the recent SAT forum, ahead of the Paris Air Show, CTOs from seven of the world’s major manufacturers focused on the importance of sustainability – a nod for what is to come over the next four days as the media and aerospace industry spotlight turns on Paris.
The signatories were as follows: Airbus, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce and Safran.
Three key areas were outlined in the statement:
- Developing advanced aircraft and propulsion technologies that enable net-zero carbon emissions
- Implementing improvements in aircraft operation and infrastructure
- Supporting policies and measures that accelerate the availability and adoption of SAF
The statement particularly focused on SAF as a “critical step for achieving the air transportation sector’s net-zero CO2 emissions goal by 2050.” However, operational and financial obstacles, of which there are many, were also cited as the main blockers to increasing the pace of this alternative fuel adoption at a larger scale.
ReFuelEU Aviation and the US Inflation Reduction Act 2022 (IRA) were identified and praised as government policies and initiatives that would help to stimulate investment and encourage greater industry uptake.
Yet, availability is the main crux of the matter. Closer collaboration between the industry and fuel suppliers is crucial, as well as investing in boosting production capacity to meet demand.
In short, whilst the statement is a valid show of mutual support between these seven competitors, serious changes from these manufacturers and increased governmental legislation must come into play if these 2050 targets are going to be met – not just for SAF, but for looking at other sustainable aviation solutions outside this fuel too.
