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JET ZERO – CAN IT TAKE OFF?

Writer's picture: Sally HamiltonSally Hamilton


Can the UK produce the first commercially viable zero-carbon airliner in the world? If you listen to an enthusiastic prime minister, this is undoubtedly the plan of an ambitious government, but is it realistic?

Industry Leader…

While Boris Johnson likes to create headlines and especially so in the wake of the economic damage caused by the global pandemic, many aviation experts think this is a stretch. The UK has hardly been at the forefront of industry developments in recent years, after all. And while Airbus now builds aircraft wings in England and Wales for assembly in France, the halcyon days of Concorde are but a distant memory.


The Big Guys

Indeed, both Airbus and Boeing have goals to create their versions of a cleaner, new generation passenger jet, but could they be beaten to this goal by a consortium of companies based in the UK?

Aerospace Technology Institute


It seems that there is, indeed, a growing high-tech industry across the country dedicated to this theme. Driven by bodies like the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), these organisations will now pursue the government for additional funding. After all, the ATI goal is to promote transformations in air transport technology and to help channel funds to zero-carbon R&D.

Sustainable Aviation


A separate known as Sustainable Aviation has also been active behind the scenes. This coalition of airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and other partners was launched in 2005 but is now looking for a clear commitment of £500 million from the UK government to kickstart its work. The body fully believes that the UK can be a world leader in the development of hybrid and electric aircraft, together with advanced carbon removal technologies.

Jet Zero Council


Separately, the UK transport secretary Grant Shapps is to form the Jet Zero Council. According to Shapps, “the challenge is to make transport – currently our biggest emitter of greenhouse gases – part of the solution, not the problem. We are bringing together leaders from aviation, environmental groups and government to form the Jet Zero Council. This group will be charged with making net-zero emissions possible for future flights. Our goal – within a generation – will be to demonstrate flight across the Atlantic, without harming the environment.”

A Dose of Realism

Yet is this realistic? Can such a goal be met by 2036? Indeed, the Committee on Climate Change is somewhat sceptical. Their experts think that it is unlikely we’ll see a fully electric commercial airline before the century midpoint. Even then, this may require accelerated investment to help with the development of advanced composite material, higher aspect ratio wings, hybrid/electric engines and other breakthroughs.


Significant government intervention would also be required to “encourage” airlines to retire or modify their existing fleet. Otherwise, manufacturers and airlines would typically expect a conventional plane built today to remain in active service well into the 2050s.

Fly the Cleaner Skies

Nevertheless, if the UK government does put its money where its mouth is, then progress may be swift. Other governments may be encouraged to follow suit as well to help create quiet and clean skies.

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