20 airlines commit to use of electric, hydrogen

Twenty airlines commit to using new technologies, such as electric, hydrogen and hybrid aircraft, to address the challenge of climate change; in an attempt to help minimise environmental impact. 

“The adoption of these technologies into the global fleet – through either new aircraft design or the retrofitting of conventional aircraft – can help reduce the climate impact of our operations while preserving the immense economic and social benefits that aviation brings to the world”, said a statement by the World Economic Forum’s Target True Zero initiative.

The airlines include Aero, Air New Zealand, Air Nostrum, Alaska Airlines, Amelia, ASL Aviation Holdings, Braathens Regional Airlines, easyJet, Finistair, Icelandair, Iskwew Air, Loganair, Mokulele, Ravn Alaska, SoundsAir, Southern Airways Express, Surf Air Mobility, Viva Aerobus, Waltzing Matilda Aviation, Xwing . 

These airlines have a collective of 1.8 million flights a year. They are members of the initiative which was launched earlier this year.

The airlines said that shorter range flights were recognised as most likely to employ novel propulsion first. They said that they are committed to working towards 30 percent of aircraft, that serve routes of 750km or less,  which are added to their fleets from 2030 onwards employ novel propulsion technologies.

“The Target True Zero initiative will address the role novel propulsion technologies like electric and hydrogen aviation can play in the transition to an aviation system with true zero climate impacts, " said Timothy Reuter, Head of Aerospace and Drones, of the World Economic Forum.

The initiative is bid to address issues in the areas of technology, industry dynamics, infrastructure and supply chain, regulation, and public acceptance.