The last two years have seen a resurgence in air travel and while this growth trend provides a welcome boost for the aviation industry. The increase in air traffic places a greater burden on the environment. To explore solutions that go beyond carbon offsetting, Shashank Nigam, Founder and CEO, SimpliFlying joined the Global Stage panelists at ATM 2023 to discuss actions required to future-proof the air travel industry.
The panelists included Brian Moran, Vice President Global Sustainability Policy and Partnerships, Boeing, Yvonne Moynihan, Chief Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air, and Dave Rowse, CEO of CarbonClick, with each sharing their take on the strategies and challenges of flying net zero.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The speakers unanimously agreed that the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plays a key role, helping the industry to meet its long-term sustainability goals. Moynihan said: “From 2025, all airlines will be required to use SAF fuel. In an effort to get ahead, Wizz Air has invested AED 22,923,120 in a UK-based SAF producer Firefly to support development and certification of SAF produced from sewage sludge. This agreement gives us the potential to save 1.5 million tonnes of CO2-eq. It is essential that airlines get behind SAF production because there is such limited supply currently.”
The aviation industry looks to a net-zero future at ATM 2023:
Panel discussion at ATM 2023 addressed how the airlines can keep pace with a green future #avaition #ceo #airlines #aviationindustry #aviationguide #arabiantravelmarket #arabiantravelmarket2023 @ATMDubai pic.twitter.com/P9jv2ll5d9— Aviation Guide (@AviationGuideEM) May 3, 2023
Major barrier
The experts agree that the cost of SAF is one of the major barriers in the immediate term. Rowse commented: “Several airlines are working to tackle the prohibitive cost of SAF, including Etihad airlines which subsidises the cost for those passengers choosing to offset their journeys with SAF. It’s going to take five to 10 years before reasonable volumes are produced. While there is consumer demand for SAF, passengers are not prepared to pay for the full cost of it – therefore subsidies from airlines could help encourage the process and ultimately, drive production along more quickly.”
The Aviation Industry Looks to a Net-zero Future at ATM 2023 #news https://t.co/XO1CcAQYYp pic.twitter.com/Hd6IMdaiQU
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Fuel-efficient aircraft
To strike a balance between short and long-term capabilities, Boeing is focusing on developing today’s fuel-efficient aircraft while investing in technologies that will allow the airline industry to project into the future and ‘de-risk. Last year, Boeing announced the launch of Cascade, a data modelling tool which enables airlines to map out the optimal routes to achieve net zero. In addition, the corporation has teamed up with NASA to build, test and fly a full-scale demonstrator aircraft and validate technologies aimed at lowering emissions.
Airlines to fly on SAF
Moran concluded: “There are approximately 24,000 planes in the air today and that number is going to double in the next 20 years. These will be conventional airplanes, and to decarbonise and get on the trajectory to net zero by 2050, airlines will have to fly on SAF, so our priority is to make sure that our planes are 100% SAF capable. It is vital that we invest in the here and now.”
Working toward net zero
The 30th edition of ATM is exploring the future of sustainable travel in line with the theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme explores how innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai
ATM 2023 will run until 4 May 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
About Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
Now in its 30th year, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for tourism professionals. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants. The included 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week.
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