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Airbus Leads the Way in Sustainable Aviation
Airbus, a prominent player in the air transportation sector, is committed to sustainable aviation. The company's efforts focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions, primarily through the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), advancements in aircraft technology, and the integration of innovative materials and aerodynamic improvements.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs)
Collaborating with partners like Total, Air France, and Safran, Airbus is working to develop and scale up the use of SAFs. These fuels can reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels. Airbus aircraft can already operate with up to 50% SAF blends, and the company aims to achieve 100% SAF capability by 2030. SAFs can be used without modifying current aircraft or fueling infrastructure, making them an immediately deployable carbon reduction solution.
Aircraft Technology Innovations
Airbus is developing aircraft with advanced aerodynamics, new flight control systems, and lightweight composite materials to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. For instance, the Airbus C295 Flight Test Bed 2 (FTB#2) demonstrator integrated semi-morphing wings, dynamic winglets, and flight controls, achieving up to a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions and significant NOx and noise reductions on regional missions.
Collaborative Industry Partnerships
Airbus partners with various stakeholders, including fuel producers, airlines, and research institutions, to accelerate SAF adoption and advance technologies that enhance sustainability across the aviation value chain. Examples include pioneering biofuel demonstration flights and supporting SAF financing and certification programs.
Optimizing In-Flight Operational Efficiency
Airbus is also working with a range of partners to optimize in-flight operational efficiency. This includes collaborating with its NavBlue subsidiary to develop modern air traffic management procedures that can lead to more direct routes, reducing fuel burn by approximately 10%, while also lowering CO2 and noise emissions.
Innovative Thinking in Sustainable Aviation
One of Airbus's most innovative projects is the fello'fly demonstrator, which applies the concept of wake-energy retrieval, surfing the air upwash of a leader bird, to flying two passenger aircraft closer together. Initial evaluations suggest possible fuel savings of 5-10% per trip with the application of this concept in airline service.
Promoting the Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Airbus was the first aircraft manufacturer to offer the option of using sustainable fuel to its customers. A programme developed in association with Air Total offers the use of sustainable fuel to Airbus's customers when newly-delivered aircraft depart the final assembly lines. This initiative is part of Airbus's broader commitment to sustainable aviation.
[1] Airbus (2021). Airbus accelerates zero-emission aircraft ambition. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/03/airbus-accelerates-zero-emission-aircraft-ambition.html [2] Airbus (2020). Airbus C295 FTB2 takes to the skies with semi-morphing wings. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/02/airbus-c295-ftb2-takes-to-the-skies-with-semi-morphing-wings.html [3] Airbus (2019). Airbus and Airbus Defence and Space to collaborate on climate change research. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/03/airbus-and-airbus-defence-and-space-to-collaborate-on-climate-change-research.html [4] Airbus (2018). Airbus and Total sign agreement to jointly develop sustainable jet fuel. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2018/06/airbus-and-total-sign-agreement-to-jointly-develop-sustainable-jet-fuel.html [5] Airbus (2021). Airbus and Safran sign agreement to jointly develop sustainable aviation fuels. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/03/airbus-and-safran-sign-agreement-to-jointly-develop-sustainable-aviation-fuels.html
Finance
Airbus's collaboration with Total, Safran, and other partners also extends to financing and certifying sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), demonstrating a keen interest in the financial aspects of sustainable development within the aviation industry.
Environmental-Science
In the quest for sustainable aviation, Airbus closely monitors advancements in environmental science, integrating research findings into their aviation technologies, like the fello'fly demonstrator, which applies principles of biomimicry to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
