Connecting Europe Days event showcases CO2 reduction potential for aviation
The European Commission conveyed its Connecting Europe Days on 29-30 June in Lyon, France. The conference, combining celebrations of the European Year of Youth and TEN-T Days, was kicked off with a pre-event hosted by Lyon Airport and attended by top level officials from the European Commission and C-level aviation executives.
A number of stakeholders from across the aviation eco-system, including the Destination 2050 alliance partners, SESAR JU, ANSPs, Lyon Airport/VINCI Airports, multiple airlines and Total Energies, worked together to deliver the most environmentally advanced flights converging at Lyon Airport on the day. Five flights arriving from Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bucharest, Frankfurt and Lisbon benefitted from environmentally-optimised routings and most energy-efficient turnaround solutions. The aircraft were powered by 30% Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend, resulting in a CO2 emissions reduction of 27% per flight compared to conventional fuel use. The attendees were able to observe the optimised landing and take-off procedures, aircraft turnaround and refuelling of SAF, experiencing first hand the CO2-reducing potential of the measures deployed.
Spotlight was also on Lyon Airport’s trajectory to become the first net zero commercial airport in France, with initiatives ranging from renewable energy production and deployment to becoming a pilot for VINCI Airports’ hydrogen project.
ACI EUROPE Deputy DG warns of investment crunch ahead
On the first day of the conference, ACI EUROPE Deputy Director General, Morgan Foulkes joined the first panel Towards a Greener and More Resilient Transport Network across Europe. He stressed the importance of public funding in complementing the private investment in climate action by the industry. For airport operators, the debt accrued during the COVID-19 crisis has led to an investment crunch for the next 5-10 years, hampering their ability to invest severely. Nevertheless, airports remain supportive of the EU Climate objectives and the Fit for 55 package.
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