21 November 2024: The European aviation industry has sent an open letter to the EU institutions and Member States [1] urging them to prioritise aviation's decarbonisation through a dedicated Industrial Strategy as part of the Clean Industrial Deal. This should encompass key recommendations from the Draghi Report on the bloc’s competitiveness.

The industry – represented by the Destination 2050 partners, including all key parts of the aviation ecosystem – is also calling for a structured, high-level dialogue between the European Commission and Member States and the aviation industry to add further impetus to the efforts to decarbonise the sector in Europe. 

This should come with comprehensive support mechanisms that will help accelerate aviation’s decarbonisation, namely:

• Accelerating research and development.
• Scaling up sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) availability.
• Enhancing access to low-carbon technology financing.

Time is of the essence. As COP29 draws to a close, it is clear a fully aligned, effective and collaborative effort between all stakeholders is needed to unlock the necessary policies and financing that will enable European aviation to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

About Destination 2050

Europe’s aviation sector is collectively on board to lead the way in reducing aviation CO₂ emissions by 2030 and 2050 – making flying more sustainable for the long term. In February 2021, Europe’s airlines, airports, civil aeronautics industry and air navigation service providers laid out a joint long-term vision along with concrete solutions to the complex challenge of reaching net-zero CO₂ emissions from all flights departing the EU, UK and EFTA by 2050. The independent report by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and SEO Amsterdam Economics shows how a combination of actions from all stakeholders – including the EU and national governments – in four key areas could achieve substantial CO₂ emissions reductions in line with EU climate goals. These include: improvements in aircraft and engine technologies (including hybrid, electric and hydrogen propulsion), using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) both for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms, implementing economic measures and improvements in air traffic management (ATM) and aircraft operations. For more information, visit www.destination2050.eu [2]

For more information, please contact:

Paula Bangle, GM Business Development
Email: paula.bangle@eraa.org [3]
Phone: +44 (0)1276 485558

Becky Warburton, Editor Corporate Communications
Email: becky.warburton@eraa.org [4]
Phone: +44 (0)1276 485582