Green aviation technologies gets boost worth over £110m

More than £110m is being invested into green aviation innovations according to a government announcement.  

New technologies, such as all-electric flight and hydrogen powered planes, will be eligible for the government and industry funding worth £113m. 

The Aerospace Technology institute (ATI) Programme will support the development of several projects across the UK to help the government to achieve ambitions for zero-carbon flight by 2050.  

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: ‘The Jet Zero Council is helping to define the future of flying – one that’s more optimistic about the sector’s environmental impact while putting UK innovation at the forefront of international aviation. 

‘As well as developing the next generation of aircraft, it’s also crucial we make the sector greener on the ground, and the call for evidence we’re launching today will help us gather evidence on how airports can reach zero emissions by 2040.’  

Projects include a Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace which develops lightweight batteries, as well as a Rolls-Royce initiative developing liquid hydrogen combusting jet engines.  

The government says schemes like this will help to create thousands of jobs and attract investment into the UK. A Call for Evidence launched by the Department for Transport will also aim to make all English airports zero emissions by 2040.  

However, environmental group Communities Against Gatwick Noise Emissions (CAGNE) says the technology for green aviation isn’t there yet and is calling for airlines to be transparent about the environmental impact of their flights.  

The group said: ‘At present, greener fuels are only marginally used by airlines, while technology to enable aviation to become a cleaner form of transport still sits on drawing-boards and in prototypes awaiting more taxpayer’s funding. 

‘We ask residents to support an online petition calling for the government to insist that all aviation advertisements, online messages, and competitions to win free holidays overseas should declare the greenhouse gases that will be released by the flight.’  

Photo by Ross Parmly