Life Operations: A Look into the Processes and Procedures
Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, is at the forefront of efforts to make aviation more sustainable. The company's contributions span across three key areas: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), fuel-efficient aircraft technologies, and improved air traffic management.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
Airbus is a strong advocate for the development and adoption of SAF. These fuels can reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 90% compared to fossil fuels. Airbus aircraft can already operate on up to 50% SAF blends, and the company aims to achieve 100% SAF capability by 2030.
Collaborations with companies like Air France, Safran, TotalEnergies, and Neste support biofuel production scaling and supply chain integration. Demonstration flights powered by innovative biofuels, such as sugar-based biojet fuel, and strategic investments in refineries and airport SAF infrastructure are part of this initiative, notably in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Fuel Efficiency Through Aircraft Design and Technology
Airbus has made significant strides in improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions through advanced aerodynamic designs and material innovations. For instance, the Airbus C295 FTB#2 demonstrator, developed under the Clean Sky 2 program, incorporates advanced aerodynamics, new materials, and flight controls. These improvements can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 43%, NOx by 70%, and noise during takeoff by 45%.
Air Traffic Management and Carbon Offset Solutions
Airbus offers carbon-reduction solutions to support airlines' sustainability efforts. The Airbus Carbon Capture Offer addresses residual emissions from operating aircraft, complementing efficiency measures and SAF usage. While specific air traffic management initiatives were not detailed, Airbus participates in industry-wide efforts to improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of aviation as part of the broader net-zero strategy.
Innovative Thinking in Action
The fello'fly demonstrator project is an example of Airbus' innovative thinking. This project investigates whether the birds' use of wake-energy retrieval could be applied by flying two passenger aircraft closer together.
Collaboration for a Sustainable Future
Airbus works with a range of partners to optimise in-flight operational efficiency. The ITAKA European initiative, which involves the commercialization of sustainable aviation fuel, is one such partnership. The sustainable fuel program by Airbus was developed in association with Air Total.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate Airbus's integrated approach to sustainable aviation—advancing cleaner fuels, optimising aircraft performance, and supporting carbon management technologies—to reduce aviation's environmental footprint. By doing so, Airbus is helping the air transportation sector move towards a more sustainable future.
[1] Airbus (2021). Airbus and Neste to collaborate on sustainable aviation fuel. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/05/airbus-and-neste-to-collaborate-on-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html
[2] Airbus (2019). Airbus C295 FTB#2 demonstrator achieves significant emissions reductions. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2019/06/airbus-c295-ftb2-demonstrator-achieves-significant-emissions-reductions.html
[3] Airbus (2020). Airbus and Total sign MoU to collaborate on sustainable aviation fuel. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/09/airbus-and-total-sign-mou-to-collaborate-on-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html
[4] Airbus (2021). Airbus Carbon Capture Offer. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/innovations/innovation-areas/sustainability/airbus-carbon-capture-offer.html
[5] Airbus (2020). Airbus joins ITAKA European initiative to accelerate the commercialisation of sustainable aviation fuel. Retrieved from https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/09/airbus-joins-itaka-european-initiative-to-accelerate-the-commercialisation-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel.html
- Airbus collaborates with various industry leaders, such as Neste, Safran, TotalEnergies, and Air France, in the promotion and production scaling of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which can reduce lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 90%.
- In addition to SAF, Airbus invests in fuel efficiency by implementing advanced aircraft designs and materials, working with partners like the European ITAKA initiative and Air Total, to optimize in-flight operational efficiency and support carbon management technologies.
