Will the first climate-neutral aircraft take off in 2035?

The aircraft of the future is digital and climate-neutral.

You work for the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI). What are the key objectives of the association?

The BDLI is the voice of the German aerospace industry. We represent a strategically important high-tech industry in which Germany and Europe play a leading global role. In many respects, this industry provides Germany as a business hub with a sustainable boost as a driver of jobs, turnover and technology. We also have partners and suppliers in Switzerland, such as RUAG and the Liebherr Group. The Liebherr subsidiary “Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg” is an important German supplier. Our member companies are already working on the aircraft of the future today, making it digital and climate-neutral.

What is the key to achieving these objectives?

We can achieve climate neutrality in aviation if everyone does their bit. After all, the energy transition in the sky is a task that needs to be addressed by society as a whole. Specifically, this means strengthening aerospace research with a focus on climate-neutral air travel and organising and financing a technology demonstrator programme. After all, sustainable aviation fuels have the most promising potential to directly reduce emissions in the short and medium term, as well as in the long haul.

The energy transition in the sky is a task that needs to be addressed by society as a whole

Does synthetically produced kerosene also have advantages in combustion, or only in production?

The combustion of fossil fuels also produces particles that we could still see as “soot” in earlier engines. These particles cause contrails and aviation-induced cloud cover. Synthetic fuels can greatly reduce the number of particles and thus also the climate impact.

“Sustainable aviation fuels” – can you explain briefly what these are?

Yes, in principle, this is a fairly simple process. Sustainable aviation fuels, or SAFs, directly ensure climate-neutral operation. Unlike fossil fuels, the energy of the kerosene is obtained from renewable sources. Ideally, the power-to-liquid (PtL) process is used, whereby green hydrogen is generated using electricity from solar or wind power via a process of electrolysis. In a downstream process, this is combined with CO2 to form artificial hydrocarbons from which SAF is produced. SAF can be mixed with fossil-based kerosene, or the aircraft can fly exclusively with them. The problem, however, is that SAFs are still not readily available and are currently very expensive. This is why this technology needs to be rapidly industrialised.

We need a rapid industrialisation of technologies in order to produce enough modern fuels

What are the two most important factors for the future beyond fuels? What is being researched most intensively?

In addition to fuels, the engines play a key role. Here, too, we are seeing great progress: The latest engine generations reduce fuel consumption by up to 36% compared to 2000. In addition, new technologies such as 3D printing make it possible to significantly reduce the weight, which directly reduces emissions. New approaches such as winglets, i.e. specially designed outer wings at the ends of the wings or shark skin on the fuselage − a surface coating based on the skin of sharks − promise substantial aerodynamic advantages. One thing is clear: Every new aircraft that replaces an older model helps the climate. After all, modernisation is the best way to protect the environment.

You read about “quantum technology” in aviation – what is this all about?

Quantum computers are considered to be one of the most groundbreaking technologies of the future. They make it possible to reduce computing times quite substantially. They can be used to perform calculations that conventional computers would sometimes take years to complete. We expect to see significant advances in aviation by using quantum technology, for example in the fields of digital modelling, artificial intelligence, materials research and software development. However, the road to a programmable, fault-tolerant quantum computer is still a long one. That's why it's important to press ahead with and strengthen the necessary research and development work.

Modernisation is the best way to protect the environment

You speak for Germany. What is the view of sustainable aviation at pan-European or worldwide?

That’s true, Germany may well become a hub for climate-neutral air travel, but aviation is an international affair. This is why we're the first industry in the world to commit to climate-neutral growth. We support the UN Paris Agreement and the UN climate protection solutions for aviation. Global aviation has therefore set itself the goal of "climate-neutral air travel", for which there's a clear “flight plan.”

We stand behind the UN Paris Agreement

Financial offsetting of emissions remains an important tool – is it a fig leaf based on the principle of indulgences trading?

No, even today offsetting is an important instrument for reducing our carbon footprint. Numerous technologies for climate-neutral air travel still need to be scalable and available in series production, i.e. capable of growth. Until then, offsetting emissions helps to financially compensate for CO2 emissions. This will no longer be necessary in the long term.

What are the biggest stumbling blocks on the way to achieving the objectives outlined above?

We are working flat out on climate-neutral technologies and their imminent deployment. But this will only succeed if everyone does their bit. Many technologies are simply still too expensive or require a substantial modification of the aircraft. For example, we are also focusing on hydrogen for the aircraft of the future. but this technology requires four times the volume of conventional kerosene yet has the same energy density. That means we have to rethink the entire aircraft. This is a mammoth task. But we’ll make it work, and you and I will be flying in a climate neutral manner during our lifetime.