The aviation sector mirrors other major economies in needing to lower emissions to endure. The path includes more efficient aircraft, smarter operational planning, and the wider adoption of sustainable fuels. In the medium term, research into emerging technologies such as green hydrogen is on the radar for potential future use. A key voice in this conversation, Maurice Lucena, President of the University of Barcelona and head of the Fundación Mutua Madrileña de Sustenibilidad, framed the ambition during the second Empresarial session: “We must fly more, but with less pollution.”
This aligns with a clear objective: the creation of the Alliance for Sustainability in Aviation. Established in April, this alliance unites leading business and academic players, including airline employers, maintenance and training groups, manufacturers, financiers, and European environmental advocates. Members span FORAirlines, Air Europe, Iberia, FlyingProducers, Airbus, Boeingoil magnates AOP, and the European lobby Transport and Environment, among others. In total, roughly 900 organizations participate, collectively generating more than 80,000 million euros in turnover.
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Decarbonization begins with reducing energy use in aircraft. After the pandemic, fleets are gradually being renewed to cut emissions. Iberia, for example, renewed part of its fleet in the first half of 2022, purchasing nine aircraft: three A350-900s for long-haul routes and six A320neos for short and medium routes. The upgrade brings substantial environmental benefits, including around 5,000 tons less CO2 emitted annually and up to a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides compared with older aircraft. Ryanair has placed orders for 300 Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets, scheduled for delivery from 2027 to 2033. These newer planes promise about 20 percent lower fuel use and roughly a 50 percent quieter operation than current models.
If planes become more productive, fuel efficiency must rise in tandem. The industry is prioritizing sustainable aviation fuels, or SAF, produced from organic feedstocks such as agricultural and forestry residues, recycled oils, or animal fats. In March, Javier Sánchez-Prieto, President of Iberia, noted at the Aviation and Tourism Forum that the fleet is already ready to operate with 50 percent SAF and urged investment to expand production facilities.
As part of Europe’s climate package, the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative sets minimum SAF usage targets. The timeline envisions about 5 percent by 2030, 20 percent by 2035, and 70 percent by 2050, with SAF available at airports across the network. This plan also paves the way for new technologies, including green hydrogen generated from renewable energy sources, to augment decarbonization while keeping aviation competitive.
Beyond fuels, the sector seeks efficiency gains from smarter airspace management. The Single European Sky initiative aims to reduce unnecessary maneuvering, enabling aircraft to fly more direct routes. Preliminary estimates suggest that optimized routes and modernized air traffic management could yield up to a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and lower emissions, contributing to cleaner skies and quieter operations.