New EU Alliance Strive To Launch Zero Emission Aircrafts

In a move towards sustainable aviation, the European Union has commissioned a new Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation. The purpose of this EU-funded alliance is to identify the barriers to the introduction of zero-emission aircraft by facilitating the development of clean aircraft technology. The alliance also intends to promote investment in clean aviation infrastructure, thereby bolstering and showcasing the EU’s assertiveness in the global aerospace sector. The alliance will consist of a plethora of aviation organizations like airports, airlines, fuel producers, and aircraft manufacturers. The alliance also seeks the involvement of certification and standardisation agencies, regulators, and environmental interest groups.

The objective of the Alliance

With the launching of the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation, the European Commission, which is the executive body of the EU, calls upon the members of the aviation community to join forces in preparing for the introduction of zero-emission aircraft. According to the Commission, the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation is the precursor of climate neutrality, which is a guarantor of growth and development. The EU official statistics indicate that by 2050, 75 per cent of global aircraft will utilize clean technology, which is currently under development. The estimates reflect that within the next 30 years, the market for zero-emission aircraft could be worth as much as 5 trillion euros. 

The Backdrop of Alliance Formation

The European aviation industry, together with other European players, has made an indelible commitment to ensure that air transport in Europe meets the 2050 climate objectives of the continent. This includes the development of zero-emission aircraft based on novel propulsion techniques (e.g. hydrogen, electric).

The objective of the alliance is in consonance with the Toulouse Declaration on future sustainability and decarbonisation of aviation. The declaration calls for sectoral roadmaps and combined efforts toward sustainability and decarbonisation of aviation.

Participants of the Alliance

All the members from across the aviation industry and aeronautical community can participate in the alliance. Energy producers, small industry players, and start-ups working on climate-neutral air transport solutions will make up the key participants. They will be required to sign the declaration and fill in the application form, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the terms of reference.

Challenges to Address

Logistic Challenges- The airports will need to be equipped with electric charging stations and infrastructure for the refuelling of hydrogen. Additionally, the standard procedure of boarding passengers would need to be reviewed because it is presently not clear whether the passengers would remain on the aircraft while hydrogen refuelling takes place, as is the case with kerosene. Also, the certification of innovative aircraft will require changes to conventional aviation safety protocols. The refuelling requirements and range of the new aircraft could also have an impact on air traffic management, which may require additional training for air traffic controllers.

Engineering Challenges- The technology employed in the Electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft will not be suitable for long-haul flights. The extra weight and space constraints posed by batteries and the storage of liquid hydrogen (which is more voluminous than oil) have forced the overhaul of the design of aircraft. Moreover, to remain in the liquid state, hydrogen must be kept at a temperature of -253 degrees Celsius.

There may be some challenges associated with the new aircraft technology, but Europe’s aeronautics industry has certainly crossed the first milestone in the strive toward a cleaner future.