Aviation in Europe takes off towards a climate-neutral future 

The European runway for climate-neutral aviation in 2050 was paved with the #AeroDays2020 at the end of November 2020 in Berlin. This was at the invitation of the European Commission and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), hosted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI). The energy transition in the skies is a task for society as a whole: world leaders from politics, research, industry, finance and energy came together virtually to discuss strategies and technologies for civil aviation on the way to a climate-neutral future in front of almost 1,500 international participants.

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Conclusion: Europe wants to be a pioneer of this "new normal" and enable sustainable, competitive and digital aviation.

Reiner Winkler, BDLI Vice President of Aviation, emphasises: "Europe and Germany must now seize the opportunity and work together to advance the goal of climate-neutral flying. Thanks to our excellent research landscape, we have the know-how to take a leading role and make the decisive step into the future. Only sustainable aviation can ensure mobility and climate protection in the long term. This requires targeted investments in all technological aspects of flying. This includes climate-neutral fuels and new propulsion systems as well as integrated flight systems, high-performance lightweight structures and digitalisation.”

Thomas Jarzombek, Member of the German Bundestag and Federal Government Coordinator for Aerospace, states: "Even though we currently have to deal with the consequences of the Corona pandemic, we must not lose sight of our task for the future: climate-neutral flying. The EU AeroDays have shown that the necessary technological foundations for the zero-emission aircraft are being developed right now. We have to accelerate our efforts now to stay ahead in the global competition for innovation.”

‘’The Berlin Aviation Summit and FORUM, as the centrepieces of the #AeroDays2020, are to be continued as part of the ILA 2022 and will further accompany and drive forward the development of climate-neutral civil aviation," explaines Prof. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairwoman of the DLR Executive Board. "To this end, the BDLI and DLR are seeking to continue the successful partnership with the European Commission.’’

EU Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean underlines: "The coronavirus crisis underscored the need to build up resilience in the aviation sector - to both known and unknown future shocks. Investing in the EU’s pre-pandemic priorities of sustainability and digitalisation will strengthen this resilience and ensure that our industry is competitive and fit for the 21st century."