The aviation industry is at a crossroads. Planes are packed, skies are bustling, and travel demand is soaring back to pre-pandemic levels. But beneath this resurgence lies an uncomfortable truth: aviation’s impact on the climate is growing. Are we doing enough to change course?
Encouragingly, industry leaders are tackling this challenge head-on, pushing for innovative technologies and collaborative strategies to reduce aviation’s impact.
On the latest episode of Altitude, host Rachel Gardner-Poole sat down with Ian Jopson, Sustainability Director at NATS, Dr. Alejandro Block, Manager for New Energies and Technologies at IATA, and Holger Wieck, Senior Vice President, Airside Operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The panel explored the progress made in aviation sustainability and the challenges that remain. Their insights revealed a mix of optimism, determination, and a clear commitment to a more sustainable future. The key question: are we doing enough to shift the trajectory?
A Reality Check
The short answer, according to Alejandro Block, is a sobering “no…not as long as we are not net-zero”. While acknowledging the dedication of many in the industry, he pointed out that emissions are rebounding and could soon surpass 2019 levels. “We’re not bending the curve; we’re accelerating it,” he admitted. It’s an unsettling reality that demands urgent attention.
Ian Jopson echoed this concern, referencing the climate countdown clock ticking away towards the critical 1.5-degree threshold. “We’re in the ‘decade of decisive action,’ yet transformative change hasn’t materialised,” he warned. Current projections suggest a 2.7-degree rise, a crisis far beyond aviation alone — but one in which aviation plays a role.
Despite the stark outlook, there is hope. Jopson pointed to the industry’s resilience, its ability to navigate disruptions, and apply that ingenuity to sustainability. Advances in air traffic management (ATM), such as free route airspace and Intelligent Approaches, are already cutting CO2 emissions, cumulatively having enabled 17 million tonnes of CO2 savings since 2007. These operational efficiencies offer a glimpse of a more sustainable future.
Holger Wieck brought an on-the-ground perspective, emphasising collaboration across the industry. Airports, he argued, play a pivotal role in enabling greener operations. He highlighted on-time performance as a sustainability factor — saving fuel and reducing waste — while also stressing the need to electrify ground support equipment and improve working conditions for airport staff. “Sustainability isn’t just about carbon; it’s about people,” he noted.
Measuring sustainability remains a challenge. Wieck pointed to the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme as a valuable tool for transparency. However, he acknowledged the difficulty in comparing airports due to differing regional conditions.
Looking Ahead
Jopson sees promise in ATM innovations like contrail avoidance and formation flying, which could revolutionise airspace management. He also stressed the importance of cross-border data sharing for optimised route planning, pointing out NATS’ latest GAIN initiative.
Block outlined three pillars of progress: using less energy, changing energy sources, and capturing CO2. He highlighted improvements in aircraft and engine design, the slow but growing use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and emerging carbon capture technologies. Hydrogen-powered flight, once a distant dream, is now seeing serious investment.
Can Aviation Grow and Still Be Sustainable?
The discussion inevitably turned to growth. Can increasing air travel ever be truly sustainable? Wieck argued that aviation is essential for global connectivity and economic development and giving customers a clearer understanding of the environment impact of their choices could drive more sustainable behaviours. He also pointed to the potential of smaller, long-range aircraft to improve connectivity while making air travel more efficient. Growth in decentralised routes could help connect previously underserved regions more directly, reducing the need for detours and cutting emissions in the process.
Scaling up SAF remains a major hurdle. While biofuels derived from crops require a vast amount of land to produce, Block pointed at alternative feedstocks like waste, forest residues, and new technologies involving SAF from hydrogen and atmospheric carbon capture. He also noted the geopolitical advantage of countries producing their own renewable fuels.
Conclusion
Finally, the panel tackled the question of societal and governmental buy-in. Jopson put it bluntly: “Carbon is the enemy, not flying.” He suggested economic incentives could drive decarbonisation, while Block warned of the dire consequences of inaction.
The discussion made one thing clear: aviation must evolve. Progress is happening, but the scale of the challenge demands bold innovation, collaboration, and commitment. The future of flight depends on it.
