Airlines of all sizes as well as aviation manufacturers are looking carefully at all avenues for reducing carbon emissions. Research into efficiency improvements and electric taxiing as well as implementing better air traffic management, for example, should be welcomed and encouraged.
It is important to recognise, however, that propulsion is the key area where innovation is required to truly enable low-carbon and even zero-emission flights.
There are different emissions-reducing propulsion technologies:
- SAFs – bio-based and power-based fuels (more in the SAFs section);
- hybrid-electric aircraft (typically combining a conventional gas turbine with an electric system);
- battery-electric; and
- hydrogen-electric.
Please view the ERA member initiatives section for more information on the matter.
Source: ERA