Panel discussion at ATM 2023 addressed how the airlines can keep pace with a green future
· The use of Sustainable
Aviation Fuel (SAF) is key to a greener tomorrow but supply and cost are
currently a challenge for the industry
· Technology and new aircraft design plays a major role in achieving net zero
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, 3 May 2023: The last two years has
seen a resurgence in air travel and while this growth trend provides a welcome
boost for the aviation industry, the increase in air traffic places a greater
burden on the environment. To explore solutions that go beyond carbon
offsetting, Shashank Nigam, Founder and CEO, SimpliFlying gathered a panel of
experts on the Global Stage at ATM 2023 to discuss the
actions required to futureproof the air travel industry.
The
engaging panel included Brian Moran, Vice President Global Sustainability
Policy and Partnerships, Boeing; Yvonne Moynihan, Chief Corporate and ESG
Officer at Wizz Air and Dave Rowse CEO of CarbonClick, with each sharing their
take on the strategies and challenges of flying net zero.
The
speakers unanimously agreed that the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
plays a key role, helping the industry to meet its long-term sustainability
goals. Moynihan said: “From 2025, all airlines will be required to use SAF
fuel. In an effort to get ahead, Wizz Air has invested £5 million (AED
22,923,120) in a UK-based SAF producer called Firefly to support the
development and certification of SAF produced from sewage sludge. This
agreement gives us the potential to save 1.5 million tonnes of CO2-eq. It is
essential that airlines get behind SAF production because there is such limited
supply currently.”
The
experts agree that the cost of SAF is one of the major barriers in the
immediate term. Rowse commented: “Several airlines are working to tackle the
prohibitive cost of SAF, including Etihad airlines which subsidises the cost
for those passengers choosing to offset their journeys with SAF. It’s going to
take five to 10 years before reasonable volumes are produced. While there is
consumer demand for SAF, passengers are not prepared to pay for the full cost
of it - therefore subsidies from airlines could help encourage the process and ultimately,
drive production along more quickly.”
To
strike a balance between short and long-term capabilities, Boeing is focusing
on developing today’s fuel-efficient aircraft while investing in technologies
that will allow the airline industry to project into the future and ‘de-risk.
Last year, Boeing announced the launch of Cascade, a data modelling tool which
enables airlines to map out the optimal routes to achieve net zero. In
addition, the corporation has teamed up with NASA to build, test and fly a
full-scale demonstrator aircraft and validate technologies aimed at lowering
emissions.
Moran
concluded: “There are approximately 24,000 planes in the air today and that
number is going to double in the next 20 years. These will be conventional
airplanes, and to decarbonise and get on the trajectory to net zero by 2050,
airlines will have to fly on SAF, so our priority is to make sure that our
planes are 100% SAF capable. It is vital that we invest in the here and now.”
The
30th edition of ATM is exploring the future of sustainable travel in
line with the theme, ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially
initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme explores how
innovative sustainable travel trends are likely to evolve, allowing delegates
to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors, while providing a
platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28,
which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai
ATM
2023 will run until 4 May 2023 at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event is held
in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic partners include
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner,
Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais
Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
The
latest ATM news stories are available at https://hub.wtm.com/category/press/atm-press-releases/.
To
register for ATM 2023, please log on to: https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb/enquire.html.
For
more information log on to wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html
Tags: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), aviation industry net-zero future, Shashank Nigam, SimpliFlying, Boeing; Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air, Dave Rowse, CarbonClick, ATM 2023
