The rapid growth of future flight technology, in particular around eVTOLs, has created an exciting opportunity to revolutionise air travel. By enabling a cleaner and more efficient form of transportation, eVTOLs could play a key role in the decarbonisation of aviation and support the industry to reach Net Zero commitments.
As we look towards a more sustainable future, it is imperative to explore the key innovations within the sector which could transform the future of flight as we know it. Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircrafts have been gathering momentum in recent years and act as a catalyst for discovering alternative sustainable ways to fly.
eVTOLs and the Impact on Sustainable Aviation
An eVTOL aircraft uses electric-powered rotors or propellers and can smoothly transition from vertical take-off to forward flight. The concept emerged in 2009 when NASA released a video of the Puffin concept, an electric-powered vertical take-off and landing air vehicle, achieving its first flight in 2010, gaining immense attention worldwide. Since then, advancements with electric propulsion have truly taken off with leading industry players like Boeing and Airbus as well as emerging innovators such as Joby Aviation, BETA Technologies and Vertical Aerospace, experimenting in their development as a goal to use this technology to reach the industry’s sustainability targets and provide a more efficient form of transportation.
Sustainability Challenges in Traditional Aviation
Understanding the aviation industry’s carbon footprint is crucial to highlighting the importance of future flight technologies as a means of a more sustainable way to travel. One of the key challenges faced by traditional aviation is its contribution to carbon dioxide emissions — whilst the industry is only responsible for 2-3% of global CO2 emissions, it is vital to reduce this number to reach Net Zero and change people’s perception.
Read more about aviation’s impact in our Myth-busting Preconceptions blog here. The industry must collaborate in our efforts to reduce its carbon footprint by investing in new technologies, transitioning to alternative fuels, and adopting sustainable practices.
Investing in new fleets is an effective way to reduce fuel emissions. If airlines use modern aircraft with advanced technologies, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by 15-20%. Alternatively, innovative solutions like eVTOLs can further reduce emissions, noting that a helicopter burns through 20 gallons of fuel an hour compared to an eVTOL which produces zero emissions (Archer Aviation, 2021).
Sustainability Benefits of eVTOLs
This technology offers numerous benefits, with one of the most significant being their lower impact on the environment. Powered by electric propulsion, they produce zero emissions during flight, which can play a crucial role in reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. The source of the electricity required to charge each eVTOL is what currently impacts their overall sustainability credential. If the electricity sourced come from sustainable sources such as solar or windfarms then the overall emissions impact is zero, but if the electricity used comes from burning traditional fossil fuels then the usage of eVTOLs only partially lowers emissions.
Additionally, eVTOLs are almost 1,000 times quieter than of a helicopter, making eVTOLs a great option to reduce noise pollution in urban areas (Archer Aviation, 2021).
Furthermore, another advantage of eVTOLs is their versatility. They are designed to be able to take off and land in a variety of locations, including rooftops and small landing pads. This could help alleviate traffic congestion and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by cars and trucks on the ground.
eVTOLs: Current Challenges
eVTOL technology evolves at a rapid pace, with the front-runners in the sector all now successfully demonstrating test flights and passenger capabilities. They are overcoming earlier challenges centered upon battery weight and charging limitations, with advances in technology and greater collaboration across the sector. Indeed, collaboration is the key to the majority of the challenges facing the industry.
Currently, some of the biggest issues facing companies in this market stem from investment, which includes the building of suitable infrastructure at existing airports and helipads and separately all, new vertiports. Regulation also remains a consistent barrier to this innovative technology taking flight.
A supportive regulatory framework should enable the safe and efficient operation of future flight technologies and whilst essential has been slow to introduce. Government regulators and industry players have been working closely together to outline certification standards and procedures, ensuring that these technologies make it to market. The aviation industry is well-positioned to take advantage of the advances in sustainability, efficiency and safety which eVTOLs provide.
Farnborough, April 17: Today, at the Sustainable Skies World Summit at Farnborough, the UK aviation industry has announced higher ambition in its transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 with the publication of an updated Net Zero Carbon Roadmap, reflecting advances in sustainable aviation technology made here in the UK.
The Roadmap is published by Sustainable Aviation – the industry coalition of the UK’s leading airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, air service navigation providers, and innovation companies in sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removals – and is an update to previous plans published in 2020 and 2021. It highlights the vital role and potential for SAF and zero carbon emission technologies such as hydrogen powered aircraft and carbon removal technologies, together with the immediate advances being made in modernising airspace to help UK aviation reach Net Zero by 2050.
The aviation industry is calling on the Government to work with it by:
Maximising short-term operational efficiencies by accelerating the UK airspace modernisation programme with completion by the end of the decade. This includes reviewing the governance and processes for the programme, looking at how these can be streamlined in order to speed up delivery, and considering whether a different funding model could bring the delivery date forward.
Delivering commercial UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel production at scale this decade, meeting the Government’s commitment to seeing five UK SAF plants under construction by 2025, by providing an industry-funded price stability mechanism alongside a SAF mandate, whilst prioritising access to UK sustainable feedstocks.
Investing in zero carbon emission flight technology by uplifting matched funding levels to the Aerospace Technology Institute programme through to 2031 – to drive efficiency improvements and the development of zero carbon emission technologies, alongside investing in UK hydrogen supply.
Addressing residual aviation carbon emissions by accelerating the rollout of carbon removals, including them in the UK ETS scheme and ensuring aviation’s fair share.
RAF Voyager aircraft powered by 43% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flies over North Sea.
The aircraft used a blend of traditional fossil fuels and SAF such as cooking oil.
Flight marks the launch of a new aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap for commercial aviation.
The Royal Air Force has successfully completed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight, powered by an approximately 43% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Flying from RAF Brize Norton, over the North Sea and via Farnborough on its return home, the Voyager aircraft also undertook air-to-air refuelling with Typhoons, as part of planned training.
Made from waste-based sustainable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel and will be key to reducing the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains and fossil fuels, while improving operational resilience.
This significant moment follows a series of recent milestones achieved by the RAF towards a sustainable aviation future, including the world first RAF Voyager flight fuelled by 100% SAF.
RAF Images: Credit: Crown copyright
Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie said:
“Greater use of alternative and sustainable fuel can only lead to positive outcomes for Defence, the United Kingdom, and our collective endeavour against climate change.
“This is not an easy undertaking by the RAF, but time and again we see that by working collaboratively with our partners across industry we can achieve crucial transformation.”
Part of a two-day industry led conference – Sustainable Skies World Summit – the flight marks the UK aviation industry publishing its updated aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap outlining how commercial aviation will become more sustainable and commercially viable.
The annual event, hosted at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, brings together various partners from industry to showcase the latest developments in sustainable aviation technology and support efforts moving towards the implementation phase of meeting its net zero commitment.
Supporting the RAF’s ambitions to be Net Zero by 2040, the Voyager flight was part of an existing task from the Chief of the Air Staff to gather the required data to inform the longer-term transition away from fossil fuels.
The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.
The UK’s SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.
Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, new aviation technologies and fuels provide huge opportunities for economic growth, delivering jobs and prosperity across the country.
RAF Images: Credit: Crown copyright
Chief of Staff Support and Chief Engineer, Air Vice-Marshal, Paul Lloyd said:
“The continued success of sustainable aviation fuel is reassuring to see. If we are to achieve our net zero goal by 2040 then exploiting these technologies is going to be an enormous but worthwhile endeavour.
“Despite the challenge, the benefits of reducing our reliance on traditional supply chains and fossil fuels outweigh it.
“The RAF is proud to be leading in this area and I welcome the announcement introduction of commercial uses of SAF.”
Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.
With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.
During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council (JZC) – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation – will also meet. The Jet Zero Council is driving the ambitious delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions.
The pursuit of Net Zero, the goal to make air travel more sustainable and the aviation industry greener, is filled with complex barriers to overcome. Operation Efficiency will play a crucial role in aiding the industry to reach the 2050 targets and beyond.
According to ONS, “Net zero means that the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to or less than the emissions the UK removed from the environment. This can be achieved by a combination of emission reduction and emission removal.” In other words, it’s a process of creating a balance in the atmosphere by removing at least the same amount of carbon that is being emitted into it.
It certainly is a herculean task, but we can start tackling it by reducing emission outputs in the first place, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and renewable energy sources, by offsetting any remaining emissions, and most importantly for this blog; increasing operation efficiency.
Flight Operations
To achieve operation efficiency, it is vital to bring scrutiny to different aspects of aviation operations, both on the ground and in the air.
In-flight considerations include looking at the most efficient flight paths and descent patterns. Airlines and air traffic controllers are starting to implement better real-time data and intelligent AI predictive systems in order to better organise busy airspaces.
Operation efficiency must also be improved on the ground by continuously optimising aircraft maintenance and ground handling operations. This includes the electrification of ground handling vehicles and improved taxiing efficiency.
Aircraft Technology
Modernising existing airline fleets so they are using the latest, more sustainable technology and retiring older aircraft is by far one the most effective ways of improving aircraft efficiency. However, this a significant cost to airlines and something that the whole supply chain is in-fact not ready for.
Another, perhaps more realistic endeavour, is the retrofitting of older aircraft. Some aircraft can be modified to enhance their operational efficiency such as adding winglets, swapping out to more lightweight equipment and changing cabin designs. In fact, using recycled materials in the cabin interior and on-board collateral can reduce waste and lower the overall environmental impact.
Importance of Collaboration
Collaboration is one of the most essential factors in the pursuit of Net Zero. Industry needs to work together across the whole supply chain to improve the development and implementation of more sustainable technology, infrastructure and measures. Meanwhile, Government and regulatory bodies need to continue working together to produce policies that encourage sustainability
(Blog last updated: 12 August 2025)
Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS), organised and hosted by Farnborough International, is an annual event for the aviation and wider sustainability industry to come together and accelerate progress towards Net Zero.
Since 2023, the event has centred around sustainability themes driving the industry towards Net Zero. So, let’s take a closer look at each of the 5 key themes:
SUSTAINABILITY THEMES
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Sustainable Aviation Fuels are highly regarded as one of the key strategies in helping the aviation industry achieve a reduction in emissions. Compared with conventional fossil fuels, SAF reduces CO2 emissions across its life cycle.
The cost and availability of SAF often comes down to government support and the supply chain, with many in the industry calling for more government-led incentives to advance the market.
The adoption of SAF extends beyond the technological advancements, requiring a robust supply chain, encouragement in research, development and investment in the production of sustainable fuel types.
SSWS will provide a platform to discuss these complex challenges, from policy and regulatory changes to industry collaboration, as the aviation industry aims to integrate SAF on a much broader scale.
As the industry strives to find long-term solutions to alternative fuels, direct carbon capture and removal could also help companies meet Net Zero targets. This technology is still very much in early development but research suggests that it could prove to have a significant impact on climate change.
The path to effective carbon removal technologies involves not only innovation but extensive collaboration among regulatory bodies, wider industries and research institutions, which will be accelerated through SSWS’s conference agenda, technology showcase features and the Business Connections Exchange programme.
Zero emission flight is closer to a reality that you may think. Whilst SAF might offer an immediate solution to cutting CO2 emissions, the industry is working incredibly hard to develop and test hydrogen, electric, solar and hybrid solutions that can offer zero emission flights.
Achieving zero emission flight involves addressing complex challenges, from infrastructure improvements and energy storage to the development of entirely new aircraft solutions. SSWS will become a stage for experts to share the latest developments and present new innovative approaches that will play a vital role in advancing the future of sustainable air travel.
Whilst discussion is often dominated by the role of aircraft themselves, there is a significant role to play from associated infrastructure including airports and flight paths.
With flight schedules being back to pre-COVID figures, operational efficiency will have a key impact on the environment and the industry’s goal to reach Net Zero by 2050. This theme encompasses optimising airport operations, air traffic management, operational practices and ultimately, minimising the aviation industry’s environmental footprint.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is a key element of the future of flight and fundamentally part of the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. Development of these new vehicles is accelerating rapidly with many test flights in their early stages.
The introduction of AAM vehicles not only contributes to sustainability but also marks a transformation in how we envision air travel, potentially revolutionising urban air mobility. These new forms of air travel offer shorter commute times, reduced noise pollution levels, reduced traffic congestion and lower environmental impacts.
The realisation of AAM’s full potential is a mammoth task, requiring industry-wide collaboration that overcomes regulatory, infrastructure and technological challenges.
Sustainability Themes at Sustainable Skies World Summit
For the past 5 years, visitors to Sustainable Skies have been able to join a mixture of keynotes, fireside chats, panel sessions and workshops that examine the various nuances and issues surrounding the discussed sustainability themes. This includes highlighting the progress already made towards Net Zero, the milestones we still need to achieve on the path to 2050, and how we can inspire the next generation to get involved in the sector.
The conversation and insights gained at SSWS often serve as the foundation for the continuation of discussions at other crucial events and industry gatherings such as Farnborough International Airshow, where these sustainability themes will evolve and drive further sustainable advancements in the aviation industry. This seamless transition between events ensure that the industry’s sustainability journey remains at the forefront of sector advancements.
