Electra unveils "Ultra Short" aircraft that can land almost anywhere & more

Electra unveils "Ultra Short" aircraft that can land almost anywhere & more

Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.


Industry Updates

NASA has launched an $11.5 million programme to develop environmentally sustainable commercial aircraft for 2050, awarding grants to five organisations for innovative research.

The US Department of Energy has released a report highlighting sustainable aviation fuel's potential, with projects representing three billion gallons of annual production by 2030.

Cathay Pacific has expanded its Corporate SAF programme with new global partners, achieving threefold carbon reduction through tiered partnership structure.

Aircraft Leasing Ireland has announced support for expedited book-and-claim development at Global Aviation Sustainability Day, enhancing SAF accessibility.

Private jet emissions have increased by forty-six percent between 2019 and 2023, contributing fifteen million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.


Image: Stefan Gössling et al.

CLIMATE WATCH: Poorer nations need $1tn a year by 2030 in climate finance, top economists find - The Guardian 

Research suggests developing nations require $1 trillion annually in climate finance by 2030, five years earlier than wealthy nations' proposed timeline.


Infrastructure and operational efficiencies

Researchers propose establishing green flight paths between major hubs like London and Dubai to accelerate SAF adoption.


Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Air Canada has agreed to procure 77.6 million litres of SAF from Neste , marking its first commercial import.

Taiyo Oil plans $1.3 billion investment in SAF production in Okinawa, targeting 220,000 kilolitres annually from 2028.

OMV Petrom will supply SAF to Romania's TAROM airline from 2025, delivering to four major airports.

International Civil Aviation Organization and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have partnered to increase financing opportunities for sustainable aviation fuels, requiring $3.2 trillion investment for net-zero goals.

American refiners project three billion gallons of SAF production annually by 2030, yet this represents merely ten percent of consumption needed for decarbonisation targets.

Latin American airlines LATAM Airlines and Aeromexico explore SAF alternatives amidst regional supply constraints.


New technology: Electric and Hydrogen

Electra.aero has unveiled its hybrid-electric aircraft requiring minimal takeoff space, securing 2,100 orders valued at $8 billion.


Image: Electra

Latest research analyses electric and hydrogen aircraft development, addressing battery weight and storage challenges in sustainable aviation.

The NEA Nordic network for electric aviation is driving zero-emission flight transition through regional collaboration and technological innovation.

EHang (NASDAQ: EH) has completed the first solid-state battery test in pilotless passenger aircraft, achieving enhanced endurance through improved energy density.

BETA TECHNOLOGIES has conducted the inaugural flight of its electric aircraft from its new production facility in Vermont.

Pratt & Whitney Canada will demonstrate hydrogen combustion technology on turboprop engines through the HyADES project.

VoltAero has established its final assembly facility in France, planning to produce 150 electric-hybrid aircraft annually.

Vertical Aerospace has achieved untethered vertical takeoff testing, announcing plans to manufacture 150 aircraft by 2030.


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