The European Commission has called for an alliance in the aviation sector to advance the development of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, with the aim of paving the way for the aerospace industry towards a future of zero emissions, with the horizon of reduction of emissions set for the EU in 2050.
The first general assembly of the so-called “Alliance for Zero Emissions Aviation” will be held next fall and will bring together manufacturers, airlines and airports, but also fuel suppliers, standardization and certification agencies, regulators and interest groups to passengers and the environment.
In this way, they will collaborate to detect all the obstacles that hinder the commercial commissioning of these aircraft, establish recommendations and a roadmap to address these obstacles, promote investment projects and create synergies and a positive dynamic between the members.
Members will study issues such as the fuel and infrastructure requirements needed at airports to accommodate electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, standardization and certification, as well as the implications for operators (airlines) and air traffic management. the Community Executive in a statement.
According to Brussels estimates, by 2050 the volume of emission-free aircraft could be 26,000 devices, with a total value of 5,000 million euros.
In any case, the members of the Alliance must commit to the ambition of reducing emissions and fighting climate change promoted by the European Union, while promoting the international dimension of the European sector.
The vice-president of the European Commission responsible for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, has defended when presenting the initiative that “Europe will write the next chapter in the world of aviation” thanks to the development of devices without polluting emissions and has assured that climate neutrality is the “passport to growth”.
The Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, has assured that the European aeronautical industry is the “most innovative in the world”, but needs the rest of the “aviation ecosystem” to follow suit, including fuel suppliers, airport operators and the regulators. The new Alliance, he added, will help “coordinate” the efforts of each link in the chain.
