More research is needed to understand the climate impacts of aviation’s non-CO2 emissions ahead of the formulation of policy incorporating them into the ETS.
French carrier Amelia has analyzed a dozen flight plans and modified some of them to prevent the formation of contrails as part of a broader Thales-led project.
Airbus is conducting a flight-test campaign to study the water vapor exhaust from a hydrogen fuel cell system to understand if it will create a contrail.
Breakthrough Energy, a consortium of aviation stakeholders including seven airlines, is seeking EU funding for a large-scale contrail mitigation trial.
In Europe, the monitoring of non-CO2 emissions and their role in aviation’s environmental impact is a hot topic—and airlines are not all on the same page.
At stake is avoiding large quantities of CO2 emissions, as cirrus cloud-forming contrails total an estimated one-third of aviation’s harmful climate impact.
Avoiding contrails remains up for debate. Some are already selling tools to carriers. Others argue more work is needed to mature solutions and standards.
Carbon cycle benefits of SAF are known, but will it help reduce the formation of persistent contrails? A Boeing and NASA flight test looks to find out.