Every year, billions of engers and tens of billions of tons of cargo are transported by air. Now, the aviation industry is looking to improve the environmental and social impact of this vital activity through innovative technologies and new practices.
The main ways to achieve this goal include reducing CO2 emissions of planes and helicopters through the use of alternative fuels and disruptive technologies; improve the environmental footprint of aircraft throughout their entire life cycle, from creation to recycling; and operational improvements, such as optimizing flight routes to ensure they are more energy efficient. The aviation sector can also have a positive social impact by ing and developing vulnerable communities.
In the aviation market – which is growing rapidly in Latin America – we are leading these efforts, working closely with airlines, governments, universities and industry stakeholders to advance the region's decarbonization plans, while delivering a portfolio of efficient products that continue to move the industry forward.
Latin American airlines will need the latest, most efficient and lowest emission aircraft, as the fleet in service in the region is expected to add 2.390 new aircraft by 2042. and according to our projections, 50% of new aircraft will replace less fuel-efficient models. Airbus plays a fundamental role in this transformation with technologically advanced aircraft, such as the A320neo and A350 models, which are, respectively, 20% to 25% more advantageous in of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Another way for Airbus to open new paths in of environmental efficiency is by promoting the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), which can reduce CO2 lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the emissions reductions needed for the aviation sector to reach “net-zero” carbon emissions by 2050.
SAF, which is typically derived from biomass and waste, and which can be mixed with up to 50% conventional aviation fuel, has fueled more than 450 commercial flights around the world since 2011. However, in 2021, it was responsible for less 1% of flights operated. Airbus is at the forefront of efforts by leading aviation companies and organizations to drive the adoption of sustainable fuel in the Latin American aviation sector.
Last January, Airbus ed a group of industrial associations and airlines in Mexico to launch the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Mexico 2023 competition, with the aim of stimulating the development and use of SAFs. Three of the 39 SAF production projects submitted by universities and research centers, and which were presented during the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX), held in April, were the winners of the event. Later this year, Airbus committed to using SAF with 10% purity in the internal operations of its commercial aircraft and helicopters. We are now offering our customers, free of charge, SAF with up to 5% purity on aircraft departing from our delivery centers.
In addition to these efforts, Airbus also seeks to make positive and tangible contributions to the industry in Latin America. Therefore, Airbus and the LATAM Airlines Group funded a study in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) t Program on Global Change Science and Policy. The study, titled “Options for Sustainably Decarbonizing Aviation in Latin America: An Assessment of Carbon Policies, Carbon Prices, and Aviation Fuel Consumption to 2050,” will provide a comprehensive analysis of scenarios for implementing SAF by 2050 and will explore pathways related to low-carbon hydrogen, direct air capture and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. Additionally, the MIT t Program will evaluate the use of incentives, carbon taxes, and carbon offsets, among other quantifiable policy instruments, to offset aviation emissions.
Airbus continues to play a leading role in shaping the decarbonization agenda for the aerospace sector through our global strategy and partnerships to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions that reduce the environmental impact of air transport. Our initiatives in Latin America are taking off as we pioneer the region's efforts in new technologies, advanced aircraft design and the rise of low-carbon fuels to help create a safer, more connected world.
By Guillaume Gressin, International Vice President, Strategy and Commercial Operations at Airbus in Latin America
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