The Aviation Industry Looks to A Net-zero Future at ATM 2023

Sustainable Travel Discussions at ATM 2023

The last two years have seen a resurgence in air travel, and while this growth trend provides a welcome boost for the aviation industry, the increase in air traffic places a greater burden on the environment.

To explore solutions that go beyond carbon offsetting, Shashank Nigam, Founder and CEO of SimpliFlying, gathered a panel of experts on the Global Stage at ATM 2023 to discuss the actions required to futureproof the air travel industry.

The engaging panel included Brian Moran, Vice President Global Sustainability Policy and Partnerships, Boeing; Yvonne Moynihan, Chief Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air; and Dave Rowse, CEO of CarbonClick, with each sharing their take on the strategies and challenges of flying net zero.

The speakers unanimously agreed that the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plays a key role in helping the industry meet its long-term sustainability goals.

Moynihan said: "From 2025, all airlines will be required to use SAF fuel."

"In an effort to get ahead, Wizz Air has invested £5 million (AED 22,923,120) in a UK-based SAF producer called Firefly to support the development and certification of SAF produced from sewage sludge."

"This agreement gives us the potential to save 1.5 million metric tonnes of CO2-eq. It is essential that airlines get behind SAF production because there is such limited supply currently."

The experts agree that the cost of SAF is one of the major barriers in the immediate term. Rowse commented: "Several airlines are working to tackle the prohibitive cost of SAF, including Etihad Airlines, which subsidises the cost for those passengers choosing to offset their journeys with SAF.

"It’s going to take five to 10 years before reasonable volumes are produced. While there is consumer demand for SAF, passengers are not prepared to pay for the full cost of it; therefore, subsidies from airlines could help encourage the process and ultimately drive production along more quickly."

'Working Towards Net-Zero'

To strike a balance between short- and long-term capabilities, Boeing is focusing on developing today’s fuel-efficient aircraft while investing in technologies that will allow the airline industry to project into the future and ‘de-risk.

Last year, Boeing announced the launch of Cascade, a data modelling tool that enables airlines to map out the optimal routes to achieve net zero.

In addition, the corporation has teamed up with NASA to build, test, and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft and validate technologies aimed at lowering emissions. 

The 30th edition of ATM is exploring the future of sustainable travel in line with the theme ‘Working Towards Net Zero'. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme explores how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve.