Aircraft technology innovators to accelerate roll out of sustainable aircraft

This week in Brussels, new technology aircraft manufacturers and established OEMs met to discuss the roll out of electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen aircraft in regional air transport.

European Regions Airlines (ERA) has held a landmark Industry Affairs and Environment and Social Group meeting in Brussels bringing together a large array of new technology aircraft manufacturers, as well as established Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs), together with regional airlines, to discuss and explore the synergies to enable and accelerate the roll out of electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen aircraft in regional air transport.

OEMs participating included ATR, AURA AERO, Cosmic Aerospace, Deutsche Aircraft, Embraer, Fokker NextGen, Heart Aerospace, Jekta, Maeve Aerospace, REGENT Seagliders, Universal Hydrogen, Vaeridion, VoltAero and ZeroAvia.

The deployment of these innovative technologies will happen first in the regional sector. Under the various roadmaps to achieving net zero by 2050, as much as one third of the decarbonisation could come from new technology so it is essential that they are nurtured and supported through policy and funding. These new technologies will also provide important relief for the demand for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that will need to be prioritised for medium and long-haul flights.

With this background, and acting as first movers, regional airlines and the new technology manufacturers are teaming up to discuss the challenges to adoption, provide answers for policymakers and offer reflections as a whole ecosystem.

This ERA meeting comes following the adoption of the recent European Parliament report on electric propulsion for short and medium-range flights that pointed to the fact that this new technology will also bring sustainable and essential connectivity to remote areas, islands or outermost regions.

Under the ERA umbrella and current activities, this group will meet on a regular basis to foster discussions on how best to address opportunities and policies that will enable these new technologies to support regional airlines. A key aim will be to provide renewed political momentum into the debate on new technology.

Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA commented: “This important gathering of industry technology leaders, both new and established OEMs, amplifies the message that regional air transport is leading the decarbonisation race for testing and selecting ‘green’ solutions. ERA’s members are working diligently, playing a crucial role in our industry’s efforts to decarbonise and to reach our 2050 net-zero targets.”