Business Forum | Carbon-free aircraft by 2035: a possible collective ambition

Our society is going through major upheavals that require constant attention. The biggest of these is certainly global warming. This is naturally the one that the aviation industry has decided to tackle head-on and in which the private sector, in addition to the various governments and air transport management authorities, has a major role to play.

It should be remembered that many innovations are now making the ambitions of a zero-emission aircraft credible within 15 years.

It’s a collective fight and the entire global aeronautics sector is committed to making tomorrow’s travel a reality. Far from an unfounded promise, the roadmap towards this sustainable destination is robust, and there are countless people, companies and organizations that rally around this ambition.

The aeronautical industry has always proven that it knows how to adapt, transform and innovate. In 25 years, we have found ways to reduce CO emissions₂ of our planes by around 80% and nitrogen oxides by 90%. Technological progress will also account for 35% to 40% of global civil aviation GHG emission reductions by 2050; sustainable aviation fuels, for 50% off, but these are still in their infancy and are hard to come by here.

Replacing the current older-generation fleets (representing 80% of aircraft in service) with new-generation aircraft is also a prerequisite. It is the choice of many companies which today invest massively in more environmentally efficient aircraft.

Planes like the A220, developed and assembled in Quebec, are now part of the new generations of aircraft capable of reconciling international air transport and climatic apprehensions. The A220 is the world’s most environmentally responsible aircraft in its category, with reduced CO emissions₂ at least 25%. Thus, a fleet of 20 A220 aircraft will contribute to reducing CO emissions₂ of an airline in the order of 1.1 million tonnes over 15 years, compared to the operation of a fleet of old-generation aircraft.

At Airbus, we are committed to bringing a zero-emission aircraft into service by 2035. But we cannot act alone. All players in the ecosystem must be part of the solution.

At the Farnborough Airshow in July, Airbus announced its decision to invest in the world’s largest investment fund for clean hydrogen infrastructure. We also revealed a flight test program aimed at studying the contrails produced by a hydrogen engine. In addition, we announced the commitment of numerous airlines, including Air Canada, Airbus and BC-based Carbon Engineering, by signing a letter of intent to purchase 400,000 tonnes of CO₂. It is estimated that the latter, under development, will be able to capture nearly one million tonnes of CO₂ every year. We also welcome the commitments made by our industry counterparts.

Earlier this month, Aéro Montréal brought together major players in the aerospace industry in Montreal to discuss innovation and how we can work together towards this carbon-free horizon. Also in September, the ICAO will hold its assembly, right here in Montreal, and decarbonization will certainly be at the heart of the discussions. Airports and airlines are also involved. We see them implementing concrete projects to reduce their footprint. That’s excellent news.

This commitment made by the industry is to pursue a multigenerational dream and to provide air transport in the most carbon-free way possible. The challenge is real and requires that we step up the pace. Let’s make sure we’re working together in the same direction, in an even more sustained way and with clear objectives. I am convinced that our industry, which has overcome many challenges during its existence, has all the capabilities necessary to make air travel and decarbonization go hand in hand.