Sustainability In The Air

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In this episode, we speak with Jan Petter Steinland, Director of Strategic Analysis and Transformation at the Civil Aviation Authority Norway, about how the administrative body is building an ecosystem for electric and hybrid aviation.

Steinland discusses:

Why a regulator is leading, not an airline: How CAA Norway and Avinor built the test arena without a launch customer, arguing that backing one airline would narrow the field before anyone knows which technologies will succeed.
Learnings from 126 electric flights: BETA Technologies and Bristow Norway ran a trial for electric flights for six months between Stavanger and Bergen.
The real charging challenge: Turnaround time is mostly a question of charging power, but consecutive charging heats batteries over a long operating day. Steinland believes global standardisation on battery cooling approaches are needed as varying solutions at every airport are unlikely to scale.
Norway’s SAF mandate: How Norway set the world’s first blending mandate starting at 0.5%, to prove that blending could be regulated, reported and followed up.
Norway’s international test arena for zero‑ and low‑emission aviation: How agreed learning objectives and an open, cross-industry scope set the test arena apart from a closed environment built around one manufacturer.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO of BETA Technologies, who discusses the realities of bringing electric aircraft into operation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Civil Aviation Authority Norway

Norway completes its first electric aviation test project - CAA Norway

Test arena operations kick off in Norway with first flight of all-electric ALIA aircraft - CAA Norway

Norway takes the next step as an International Test Arena with Bristow Group and Electra - PR Newswire

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In this special compilation episode, recorded live at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, nine aviation leaders share their perspectives on what the future of flying will actually look like, and who is building it.

Featuring insights from:

Kyle Clark, Founder & CEO, BETA Technologies
Tom O’Leary, CEO & Co-founder, JetZero
Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-CEO & Co-founder, Elysian Aircraft
Marc Allen, CEO, Electra.aero
Allison Melia, VP - Sustainability, Boeing
Luke Farajallah, CEO, Loganair
David Stepanek, EVP & Chief Transformation Officer, Bristow
Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech
Christoph Pereira, CEO - SaaS, Aerospace Carbon Solutions & Sustainability, GE Aerospace

Together, they explore what sets their approaches apart, the overlooked opportunities in sustainable aviation, and where the industry is headed next.

Throughout the episode, the leaders discuss the different paths the industry is taking towards the same goal: fully electric and hybrid-electric aircraft for short and regional routes, new airframe shapes that cut fuel burn on longer ones, and sustainable aviation fuel made from waste carbon.

This is a compilation of highlights from nine in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for the full interviews on our Sustainability in the Air knowledge hub.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Sponsor message: All of SimpliFlying’s coverage from the Farnborough Airshow 2026 is brought to you by CAE, whose leadership in aviation training and commitment to advancing safety continue to support the industry’s highest standards of excellence.

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In this episode, we speak with Claudia Huegel, Senior Director, Head of ESG Rating and Reporting, Lufthansa Group, who shares how one of the world’s oldest and largest airline groups threads sustainability through its strategy, its reporting, and, increasingly, its relationship with the passenger.

She discusses:

The near-term levers to decarbonising by 2030: Why fleet renewal does the heaviest lifting this decade, delivering 15-25% efficiency gains per aircraft.
The green fares story: How Lufthansa became the first airline group in the world to launch a dedicated sustainable fare, trialling it in the Nordics with a 20% SAF and 80% climate-project mix, and growing adoption from below 1% to around 5% over roughly three years.
Making SAF visible: How the group turns fuel farms at Frankfurt into branded signage, runs SAF marketing through Lufthansa Cargo, and structures bulk SAF deals with corporate customers.
Mandates versus incentives: Why the ReFuelEU 2% obligation was met in molecules in 2025 but largely with imported fuel, why she suspects incentives build supply better than mandates, and her call for ETS revenue to be reinvested in SAF infrastructure.

If you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversation we had with Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, who shares what it takes to move a major low-cost carrier from a sustainability blueprint to real-world results. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & More:

Climate and Environment - Lufthansa Group

Green Fares: More sustainable air travel - Lufthansa

Fly more sustainably - Lufthansa

Lufthansa Group sees ‘growing demand’ for sustainable fares - Business Travel News Europe

Lufthansa Passengers offset 710,000 tonnes of CO2 through climate program - ESG Today

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In this episode, we speak with Robert Hyslop, Executive Vice President of Global Aviation at DHL Express, who oversees one of the world’s largest dedicated air cargo networks and has helped turn the company into one of the biggest corporate buyers of sustainable aviation fuel.

He discusses:

Tripling SAF usage in a single year: How DHL moved from 3.5% to 10% SAF use within a year by securing reliable suppliers early and signing offtake agreements globally, purchasing allotments well ahead of when the fuel will actually be used.
The GoGreen Plus programme: How DHL’s GoGreen Plus product lets customers co-invest in decarbonising their shipments, and how it has had a strong take-up in emerging markets, and how those revenues are reinvested into buying more SAF.
The virtual global airline and book-and-claim: Why DHL operates as a network of airlines rather than one carrier, relies heavily on belly space in passenger aircraft, and has become the scope 3 customer in a five-year book-and-claim deal with IAG Cargo.
Efficiency as the other half of the story: How fleet modernisation from the 747 to the 777 freighter, plus a fuel optimisation programme rolled out across 12 airlines, avoids 15-17 million gallons of fuel a year.
Why SAF remains the mainstay: Why heavy, long-haul cargo cannot yet move away from the conventional jet fuel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Aaron Robinson, Vice President of SAF at the International Airlines Group (IAG), who shares the airline group’s journey to becoming the global leader in SAF use. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:Sustainability - DHL Group

GoGreen Plus: Reduce carbon emissions - DHL

DHL Express and Phillips 66 advance SAF usage in the US through multi-year agreement - Biofuels International Magazine

DHL, IAG Cargo sign 5-year deal to use SAF to reduce air freight emissions - ESG Today

DHL signs sustainable aviation fuel supply deal with SAF One in Bahrain - Reuters

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In this episode, we speak with Elvis Ebikade, Director of Strategic Market Development at Bioleum Corporation, about why the Global South should be producing SAF rather than just exporting raw feedstocks, how renewable fuels are becoming an energy security play, the technical challenge of getting aromatics into SAF, and what actually separates a bankable SAF project from a good-looking spreadsheet.

Ebikade discusses:

The case for Africa and Southeast Asia as SAF producers, not just feedstock suppliers
Why exporting feedstocks and reimporting SAF adds a carbon intensity penalty that undermines the product's core value
Feedstock diversity in Africa: HEFA, alcohol-to-jet, woody biomass, and e-fuels
The energy security reframe: why renewable fuels change who sits at the table
Export vs book-and-claim: why there's no single model for Global South SAF
What Bioleum is building: lignin-to-aromatics, cellulosic ethanol, and the Hexas Biomass acquisition
Why most SAF today still needs to be blended with fossil jet fuel before it can be used to power aircraft
What makes a SAF project bankable: feedstock, offtake, EPC, and a credible path to cost parity
The gap between financial models and operational reality

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Meg Gentle, Executive Director at HIF Global, about how synthetic fuels and waste-based pathways could reshape the economics of sustainable aviation fuel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Bioleum Corporation
Why the Global South could produce aviation's cheapest sustainable fuels - SimpliFlying
The six-times markup that convinced a Kenyan entrepreneur to make his own SAF - SimpliFlying
Could Cameroon become Central Africa's SAF gateway? - SimpliFlying
The country that banned petrol cars is now betting on SAF - SimpliFlying
Hexas: A sustainable solution to the food vs. fuel debate - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Conor Madigan, founder and CEO of Aether Fuels, a climate technology company converting abundant waste carbon into low-cost sustainable fuels for aviation and ocean shipping. Madigan is one of the few founders approaching the SAF cost problem from an engineering-first, problem-first standpoint.

He discusses:

A problem-first approach to company building: Why Madigan began with a blank sheet of paper in 2020, fixed on the problem before choosing a technology, and only then exclusively licensed foundational technology from Chicago-area research institute GTI Energy.
Moving beyond the HEFA feedstock ceiling: Why today's dominant SAF process, which converts waste fats, oils and greases, cannot keep pace with projected SAF demand demand as mandates tighten towards 2030.
A contrarian bet against cheap hydrogen: Why Aether chose in 2022 to prioritise biogas, biomass and industrial off-gases over CO2-and-hydrogen e-fuels, judging that optimistic hydrogen price forecasts were unlikely to hold.
The Aether Aurora technology: How tri-conversion merges two reaction steps into one reactor, how an electrified reactor lifts yield, and how novel catalysts cut the cost of fuel upgrading, all aimed at the capital cost that makes waste-fed plants expensive.
Why Singapore won Project Beacon: How a fast-moving partnership with Aster, predictable government policy and ties to Temasek made Singapore the site of Aether's first commercial plant, and what other countries can learn from the model.
Discipline on offtakes and the real scaling bottleneck: Why Aether has resisted investor pressure to sign speculative offtake agreements, and why Madigan sees project development and financing, not chemistry, as the constraint on scaling SAF.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Synhelion’s Founder and CEO Philipp Furler who unpacked how the Swiss technology company is working to scale synthetic fuels by tackling some of the fundamental cost and infrastructure barriers facing SAF today. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry's challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & More:

Aether Fuels

Aster and Aether Fuels partner on the first next-generation commercial SAF plant in Singapore

RTI supports Aether Fuels in scaling sustainable aviation fuel

Singapore Airlines Group and Aether Fuels sign MoU for sustainable aviation fuel

Aster and Aether Fuels Partner on the First Next-Generation Commercial Sustainable Aviation Fuel Plant in Singapore

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In this episode, we speak with Maria del Mar Whittaker, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Abra Group, the holding company behind airlines like Avianca and Gol.

Whittaker discusses:

Aviation as an essential service: Why flying in Latin America is an essential service because the geography of the continent makes road and rail alternatives impractical for several routes.
Balancing growth and sustainability: How Avianca grew by nearly 20% between 2019 and 2024 while cutting its emissions intensity by a similar margin.
A cross-border compliance book-and-claim mechanism: How Abra Group has developed a novel proposal under which SAF produced in Brazil can be physically used domestically, while Japanese entities can purchase the corresponding SAF certificates, effectively subsidising the green premium for Brazilian airlines and creating bankable demand that can unlock project financing.
Revenue certainty mechanisms and double-auction systems: How Abra Group is proposing a multilateral-funded revenue certainty mechanism for Brazil, modelled loosely on the UK’s approach.
A systems-level view of SAF sustainability: Why Whittaker insists that SAF feedstock decisions must account for water, biodiversity, and indirect land use impacts at a systemic level.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, who shares what it takes to move a major low-cost carrier from a sustainability blueprint to real-world results. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry's challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & More:

Avianca’s growing connectivity while improving overall emission performance

Abra and Sumitomo partner to unlock industry solutions to airline decarbonisation in Brazil - Biofuels International

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement - UNFCCC

Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM)

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In this episode, we speak with Lahiru Ranasinghe, Director of Sustainability at easyJet, who shares what it takes to move a major low-cost carrier from a sustainability blueprint to real-world results.

He discusses:

From strategy to execution: How easyJet’s net zero roadmap has evolved from a planning document into an operational programme — and why the shift from building a strategy to delivering it changes everything about how sustainability operates within the business.
Fleet renewal and the gauge advantage: Why replacing A319s with A320NEO and A321NEO aircraft is one of the clearest wins available right now.
SAF’s structural scaling problem: Why easyJet has deliberately not committed its roadmap to uplifting SAF beyond mandated levels, and the structural reason why the first-mover advantage in SAF works in reverse compared to aircraft procurement.
Long-term technology bets: The significance of the completed Rolls Royce hydrogen gas turbine engine test at NASA Stennis, what it means for narrow-body hydrogen propulsion at the 30,000-pound-thrust level the industry needs, and
Partnership with JetZero: How JetZero’s blended-wing-body (BWB) plane could change the aerodynamics of the aircraft and deliver 50% aerodynamic efficiency savings.
Contrails and the airspace connection: Why easyJet sees contrail avoidance as an opportunity to be a rule-maker rather than a rule-taker, and why effective contrail management cannot be separated from the broader project of airspace modernisation.
Regulatory frameworks and the wait-and-see problem: How both RefuelEU and the UK Revenue Certainty Mechanism have successfully created demand certainty but have inadvertently encouraged producers to wait for more favourable conditions before committing to production.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Tom O’Leary, CEO & co-founder of JetZero, who shares how the company is developing the world’s first commercial blended wing body aircraft. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Our destination is net zero - easyJet

easyJet and Rolls-Royce complete hydrogen engine test - Fuel Cells Works

ATOBA, easyJet and World Fuel sign MoU for long-term supply of SAF - Biofuels International

easyJet believes hydrogen propulsion is the future of short-haul flying - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Bruce Fleming, CEO of Montana Renewables, the leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel in the United States.

Rather than building a new SAF facility from the ground up, Montana Renewables converted a portion of an existing crude oil refinery in Great Falls, Montana to process feedstocks including used cooking oil, agricultural waste, and emerging crops into SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable hydrogen.

Fleming discusses:

The retrofit model: Why converting an existing crude oil refinery is a fundamentally different capital proposition from building a greenfield SAF plant.
Feedstock agnosticism: Why the company is indifferent to which renewable feedstocks run through its system, including its claim to be the first producer to have made SAF from camelina, a cover crop that does not compete with food production and carries a very low carbon intensity score.
The investment drought: Why private capital has effectively exited the SAF space, and the direct link between regulatory unpredictability and the absence of long-term investment.
The book-and-claim efficiency case: Why separating the physical movement of SAF from its associated emissions certificate could save a dollar per gallon in logistics costs, and how a global book-and-claim system could accelerate SAF adoption.
Fuelling small, not large: Why the immediate SAF opportunity lies in general aviation and regional operations rather than long-haul commercial carriers.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Adam Klauber, Chief Sustainability Officer at World Energy, who shares how the book-and-claim model has evolved from a concept to a practical mechanism for scaling corporate demand for SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & More:

Montana Renewables

Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Montana Renewables

Montana Renewables and World Energy join forces to drive efficiency and scale in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) deliveries - World Energy

Montana Renewables launches MaxSAF™ Blended, accelerating SAF supply - ChemAnalyst

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In this episode, we speak with Martina Di Palma and Achilleas Achilleos, Sustainable Aviation Officer and Strategic Programs Officer respectively at the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

They discuss:

Why existing CO2 calculators fall short: How today’s flight emissions tools rely on estimates rather than actual fuel burn data.
The regulatory foundation: How the Flight Emissions Label (FEL) sits within Article 14 of the RefuelEU Aviation regulation, and why EASA is confident the scheme is here to stay regardless of whether it becomes mandatory.
The first-mover dilemma: Why some airlines pushed back against early adoption of the FEL, what the genuine commercial risks of being first are.
SAF integration as an incentive mechanism: How the label discounts CO2 emissions based on SAF use, why this creates a direct reputational and financial incentive for airlines to increase SAF uptake, and how EASA is working with airlines including Air France KLM to optimise SAF accounting within the label.
Label 2 and the road ahead: What the next phase of development could include, and why EASA has made its flight emissions calculator open-source in the hope that other regions will adopt a similar standard.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Rachel Gardner-Poole from NATS, who shares how GAIN (Green Aviation Insights Network) is bringing together air navigation service providers from around the world to optimise flight paths and reduce emissions. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency

Flight Emissions Label (FEL)

RefuelEU Aviation Regulation - European Commission

Google Travel Impact Model

DigiMove - EU Digital Transport and Logistics Forum

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In this episode, Dirk Singer speaks with Meg Gentle, Executive Director at HIF Global, about how synthetic fuels and waste-based pathways could reshape the economics of sustainable aviation fuel.

Gentle discusses:

Why Chile’s exceptional wind resources made it the starting point for HIF’s first e-fuels facility, and how that model is now being replicated globally
How e-fuels are produced by combining green hydrogen with captured CO2 to create transportable liquid fuels like methanol and jet fuel
Why HIF Global is pursuing two SAF pathways in parallel: e-methanol-to-jet for Europe and RNG-based SAF for the US
How waste-based fuels, particularly those derived from methane emissions, can achieve very low or even negative carbon intensity
Why the real bottleneck to scaling SAF is not technology or capital, but long-term policy certainty and “early mover protection”
How SAF markets could evolve toward a carbon intensity-based pricing model, where fuels compete on dollars per tonne of CO2 abated rather than feedstock or pathway

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels, who discusses the company’s novel approach that turns sewage into jet fuel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

HIF Global

HIF Haru Oni: The first operating e-Fuels facility in the world - HIF Global

HIF Global and eFuel One ink deal for gigawatt-scale green hydrogen and methanol project in Uruguay - Fuel Cells Works

HIF Global to provide green hydrogen-based fuels for tourists in southern Chile and Antarctica this summer - Hydrogen Insight

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In this episode, we speak with Steven Fitzgerald, Director of Sustainability and Finance at Ryanair, who shares how Europe's largest low-cost carrier is navigating the tension between aggressive growth targets and decarbonisation commitments.

Fitzgerald discusses:

Ryanair's early SAF commitment before mandates existed: Why the airline set a 12.5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) target for 2030 five years ago, and how they've now secured access to 80% of that volume.
The true cost of ETS compliance: How Ryanair expects to spend between €1.4 and €1.5 billion next year complying with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and SAF mandates, and why the geographic patchwork of carbon pricing creates competitive distortions that policy needs to address.
Investing in pre-certification research: The €4 million partnership with Trinity College Dublin, funding pre-certification screening tools that can predict SAF viscosity and density using just one gram of fuel, de-risking the approval process for new pathways and accelerating 2G and 3G SAF development.
The untapped FEETS mechanism opportunity: Why only a small share of the 20 million SAF-ETS allowances has been claimed, how 3G SAF purchases can receive 95% of the price differential back, and why extending FEETS to 2040 could accelerate SAF production.
Building a SAF supplier ecosystem: The three criteria Ryanair uses when selecting partners: credibility (a proven track record in renewable fuels), scale (alignment with Ryanair’s route network) and ambition (commitment to advanced SAF pathways beyond first-generation supply).

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nina Marczell, SVP Industrial Sales & Marketing for Fuels & Feedstock at OMV, about how the integrated energy company is leading Europe's SAF development from early production to commercial scale. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Ryanair

Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre - Trinity College Dublin

Ryanair outlines runway to net zero in sustainability report - Sustainability Online

Catagen launches ClimaHtech Green Flight with landmark SAF deal - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Kyle Clark, Founder and CEO of BETA Technologies, who shares how his company went from a college thesis to a publicly traded electric aviation manufacturer delivering real aircraft and generating revenue from military, medical and cargo customers.

Clark discusses:

The advantage of electric flight: How batteries deliver propulsion at 95% efficiency versus 30% for conventional engines, and how reducing the drag by 30-40% helps electric aircraft achieve meaningful range despite batteries being 30 times less energy dense than jet fuel.
The vertical integration imperative: Why aerospace engineering demands system-level optimisation across motors, inverters, batteries and aerodynamics, making vertical integration essential rather than optional for electric aircraft.
Strategic market entry through low-friction use cases: Why Beta prioritised military, medical and cargo applications over urban air mobility.
The CTOL-first certification pathway: How Beta’s dual-configuration approach (conventional takeoff and landing, then adding vertical takeoff capability) enables earlier type certification, while competitors pursue more complex certification paths.
Charging infrastructure as a standalone business: How Beta’s charging network may become as valuable as the aircraft business, already extending along the East Coast and winning international contracts like Abu Dhabi.
The “team member” culture at scale: Beta’s radical approach to titles and ownership, giving equity to all employees, and maintaining a flying programme for all staff.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT, who shares how his company is developing all-electric Seagliders. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

BETA Technologies

Amazon Buys 5.3% Stake in BETA Technologies - Yahoo

Air New Zealand and BETA Technologies launch first electric aircraft programme - AeroMorning

GE Aerospace & BETA partner on $300m hybrid-electric aviation push - Aerospace Global News

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In this episode, we speak with Philipp Furler, Founder and CEO of Synhelion, who shares how the Swiss technology company is working to scale synthetic fuels by tackling some of the fundamental cost and infrastructure barriers facing SAF today.

Furler discusses:

The path to $1/litre production costs: How Synhelion targets production costs of around $1 per litre within 10-15 years through three key advantages: cheap solar energy with thermal storage enabling 24/7 operation, avoiding electrolysis and green hydrogen entirely, and achieving over 90% energy conversion efficiency.
From fuel producer to technology licensor: How Synhelion plans to demonstrate business case viability by developing projects, building plants, and selling fuel up to 30,000 tons annually by 2030, then transitioning to a project developer and technology licensing model.
Multi-product revenue streams reduce risk: Why producing not just 70% SAF but also diesel, naphtha, and gasoline creates multiple revenue streams, enabling customer partnerships and market momentum to support scale-up.
Seamless integration with existing refineries: How Synhelion supplies synthetic crude oil directly into refineries in the Lufthansa and Swiss network where it’s co-processed with fossil crude in a mass-balanced system, demonstrating that decarbonisation requires only building new production plants, not rebuilding downstream infrastructure.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Tim Boeltken, Founder and Managing Director at INERATEC, who shares insights into the company’s modular technology platform and the potential of e-fuels to revolutionise the future of SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Synhelion

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – a renewable synthetic fuel - Synhelion

German firm Synhelion opens ‘world’s 1st’ industrial solar fuel plant - Interesting Engineering

SWISS integrates first supplies of Synhelion solar SAF into flight operations - GreenAir News

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In this episode, we speak with Sabrina Tekle Krarup Jensen, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at Copenhagen Airports A/S (CPH), who shares how the airport is navigating some of aviation’s most complex sustainability challenges.

Jensen discusses:

CPH’s unique role as neutral facilitator: How the airport leverages its position outside the commercial fuel supply chain to support multiple SAF projects, and connect stakeholders across the entire aviation value chain.
The eSAF financing gap challenge: Why eSAF prices remain 8-10 times higher than Jet A-1, preventing offtakers from signing the long-term agreements producers need to scale, and why regulatory intervention may be necessary to bridge this gap.
Proven SAF impact on local air quality: Results from the ALIGHT project measurement campaign showing 40% SAF achieved a 30% reduction in ultrafine particle emissions.
Denmark’s green domestic route: How Norwegian Air Lines will launch the country’s first green domestic route in March 2026 using 40% SAF.
Battery energy storage system and electrification: Implementation of a battery system to store renewable energy and manage power spikes from electric ground support equipment and future electric aircraft charging.
Real-world fuel variability research: The FuelTrack campaign with German Aerospace Centre and SAS that links specific fuel chemistry (aromatics and sulphur content) directly to tailpipe emissions.
Airport-to-airport collaboration on innovation: CPH’s partnership with Schiphol Airport pooling resources on local air quality challenges.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), who shares the airline’s plans to lead the charge in sustainable aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Copenhagen Airports

Groundbreaking study linking jet fuel properties to aircraft emissions - CPH

Copenhagen Airport installs large battery for green energy storage - CPH

ALIGHT project

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In this episode, Dirk Singer speaks with James Hygate, Founder and CEO of Firefly Green Fuels, about one of the more unconventional and potentially scalable sustainable aviation fuel pathways: converting sewage biosolids into jet fuel.

Hygate discusses:

Why Firefly is “feedstock-led”, and why that matters more than the technology
How sewage biosolids emerged as the preferred feedstock for Firefly due to their abundance, consistency, and increasing difficulty of disposal.
How hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) works like “a pressure cooker” to turn sewage into biocrude and biochar
Why Firefly believes its fuel could achieve over 90% lifecycle CO2 savings, potentially even becoming carbon-negative
How sewage-to-SAF could scale in the UK and why it could “come from left field” in mandate maths
What is required for SAF projects to be bankable including long-term feedstock supply and offtake agreements
How sewage-based SAF can reach cost parity with Jet A

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr Mar Fernández-Méndez, Co-founder of MacroCarbon, who shares how the startup plans to turn seaweed into SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Firefly Green Fuels

What & How - Firefly

Poop-powered planes: Could jet fuel made from sewage take off? - CNN

Wizz Air and Firefly collaborate on turning human waste into SAF - Biofuels International Magazine

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In this episode, we speak with Adam Klauber, Chief Sustainability Officer at World Energy, who has been at the forefront of developing book and claim mechanisms for sustainable aviation fuel since its earliest days.

He discusses:

The co-claims approach: Why aviation needed to diverge from renewable electricity market models by enabling both airlines (scope 1) and their corporate customers (scope 3) to claim emissions reductions from the same SAF molecules, unlocking new sources of funding.
What it took to get early deals done: How some of the earliest SAF buyers like Microsoft moved before the supporting infrastructure was fully in place, including clear registries and standardised accounting rules, and why that early willingness mattered.
Insetting vs offsetting: The moral hazard of buying cheap offsets outside aviation, and how insetting addresses this while maintaining economic efficiency.
Making SAF contracts “bankable”: How long-term commitments from credible corporate buyers can help producers secure debt capital at lower interest rates, thereby lowering financing costs and easing the SAF price premium over time.
Building market infrastructure that benefits the whole sector: Why World Energy deliberately builds frameworks that benefit competitors, recognising that growing the overall SAF market serves everyone’s interests and that no single company wins with only a trickle of supply.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Gene Gebolys, founder and CEO of World Energy, who delves into the intricacies and future of SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

World Energy

Blueprints for Bankability - RMI

Re-thinking the blueprint for financing SAF - SimpliFlying

Efficient, effective decarbonization with carbon insets - World Energy

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In this episode, we speak with Rachel Gardner-Poole, GAIN steering group chair and sustainable aviation consultant at NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic control provider.

Gardner-Poole shares how GAIN (Green Aviation Insights Network) is bringing together air navigation service providers from around the world to optimise flight paths and reduce emissions using tools and insights that can deliver results today. She discusses:

GAIN’s dual purpose: A global collaboration of air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and a dashboard tool that measures airspace efficiency, enabling ANSPs to identify inefficiencies, benchmark performance by airline and route, and track CO2 emissions in real time.
Why airspace efficiency matters now: Whilst SAF faces supply constraints and hydrogen aircraft remain years away, airspace optimisation can deliver immediate carbon savings.
Breaking down communication barriers: How misaligned assumptions between airlines and air traffic controllers often lead to suboptimal flight paths, and how GAIN’s data visualisation enables targeted conversations to unlock tactical savings.
The founding members’ impact: With five founding members helping shape the tool, GAIN could save over 450,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Addressing greenwashing concerns: Unlike complex carbon credit schemes or predictive modelling, GAIN uses real, verifiable flight path data.
Future expansion plans: The goal is to reach 40% of the world’s 160 ANSPs by 2030, with potential features including non-CO2 effects like contrails, and partnerships with organisations across the aviation sector.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sian Andrews, SESAR Environmental Lead at NATS, who shares how air traffic management can reduce aviation’s environmental impact. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

NATS

Green Aviation Insights (GAIN) - NATS

NATS and leading ANSPs unite to drive sustainable aviation through a novel data-driven insights tool - CANSO

NATS environmental initiative GAIN-ing momentum - Aviation Week Network

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In this special year-end episode, we explore conversations with industry leaders revealing where sustainable aviation truly stands in 2025.

Matt Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy at Heathrow Airport, reveals airports control just 0.1% of their carbon footprint directly but use landing charges to incentivise SAF adoption.
Tamara Vrooman, CEO of Vancouver Airport, explains moving their net-zero target forward to 2030 by leveraging control of central infrastructure.
Lena Wennberg, Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström, Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia, explain achieving fossil-free operations in 2020 and how they are looking to support fossil-free domestic flights in Sweden by 2030.
Aaron Robinson, Vice President of SAF at International Airlines Group, identifies airlines’ reluctance to adopt SAF as a cultural problem rooted in safety-first mindsets that resist innovation.
Matthew Ridley, Director of Sustainability at The oneworld Alliance, discusses their $150 million fund with Breakthrough Energy Ventures for next-generation SAF.
Trevor Best, CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, details their photocatalytic technology converting biogas into SAF at smaller scales, targeting jet fuel parity.
Tim Boeltken of INERATEC explains their modular e-fuel technology deployable wherever green hydrogen is produced.
Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, describes how electric aircraft will succeed by enabling new capabilities like 150-foot takeoffs rather than competing with jet fuel.
Billy Thalheimer of Regent introduces Seagliders – wing-in-ground effect vehicles offering new transportation for coastal routes.
Jolanda Stevens, Program Manager for Zero Emission Aviation at KLM, emphasises airlines’ responsibility in enabling hydrogen and electric aircraft.
Luke Farajallah, CEO of Loganair, discusses how their mandatory £1 carbon levy receives almost no passenger complaints.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Book: Sustainability in the Air, Vol Two - SimpliFlying

Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report 2025 - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Nanna Baldvinsdottir, co-founder of IðunnH2, about how Iceland’s unique energy system could turn the country into a green fuel bridge between Europe and North America.

A veteran of Iceland’s power sector, Nanna has spent two decades working in renewables before turning to hydrogen and e-fuels development.

Nanna shares how IðunnH2 is developing a 300 MW, ~70,000 tonne-per-year e-SAF project near Keflavík International Airport, designed first to decarbonise Icelandic aviation and only then supply the wider world via book-and-claim. She explains why social licence for new wind power, local energy security, and predictable permitting make Iceland a testbed for scaling e-fuels where other regions are still stuck on the drawing board.

Nanna discusses:

Why SAF, not hydrogen export, came out on top in IðunnH2’s feasibility work – and how switching mid-study unlocked a path to true commercial scale rather than niche pilot projects.
The Helguvík project: locating a commercial-scale e-kerosene facility a stone’s throw from Iceland’s main international airport, using 100% renewable power contracted via long-term PPAs.
Book-and-claim as a strategic tool: using it to serve committed early partners like Luxaviation and other motivated buyers outside Iceland, while keeping the bulk of production for Icelandic decarbonisation.
Moving beyond “Jet A price parity”: why chasing price parity with fossil jet fuel misses the point since jet fuel is heavily subsidised and untaxed, and how 15-year price stability can be more valuable to airlines than simply being the cheapest.
Her role as a “system builder”: why e-fuel plants are far more complex than traditional power projects, and what it takes to keep partners aligned on timelines, risk, margins, and ambition.
The wider Icelandic hydrogen roadmap: how aviation, maritime, and road transport could all draw on the same hydrogen and e-fuels backbone as the market matures.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book “Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2.” Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

IðunnH2
Why Iceland? - IðunnH2
SAF – IðunnH2
Hydrogen and E-fuels Roadmap for Iceland
Nanna Baldvinsdottir - LinkedIn
EU ReFuelEU Aviation Mandate

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In this episode, we speak with Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT, who shares how the company is redefining travel with their all-electric Seagliders.

Thalheimer discusses:

Solving the regional travel gap: How seagliders address the transportation problem on 50–200 mile coastal routes, creating a faster, cheaper, and greener alternative for the 40% of the world’s population living in coastal communities.
Three breakthrough technologies in one vehicle: How REGENT combines wing-in-ground effect aerodynamics, hydrofoil systems (providing five feet of wave tolerance).
Maritime certification, not aviation: Why seagliders operate as vessels under Coast Guard and IMO jurisdiction rather than FAA oversight, with operators certificated as master mariners rather than pilots—solving the regional pilot shortage whilst creating a six-week training pathway for professional mariners.
Commercial and defence applications at scale: How REGENT has secured over $10 billion in orders from airlines, ferry operators, and energy companies, with use cases ranging from commuter services to offshore wind farm logistics and military operations.
Infrastructure advantage and electrification: Why existing docks can accommodate Seagliders with minimal modification, creating “high-speed rail without the billions in rail infrastructure” whilst leveraging emerging port electrification efforts from the cruise and ferry industries.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nathan Millecam, President & CEO of Electric Power Systems (EP Systems), where he talks about designing the ideal battery to power electric aircraft. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

REGENT Craft

REGENT Craft successfully conducts high-speed test of its electric ‘Seaglider’ - MSN

This ‘flying boat’ could be the future of travel in Scotland - The Independent

REGENT lands major order for 27 all-electric seagliders to advance coastal mobility - Offshore Energy

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In this special compilation episode, recorded live at the Dubai Airshow 2025, five aviation industry leaders share their perspectives on whether the Middle East can balance rapid aviation growth with sustainability goals.

Featuring insights from:

Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports
Julien Manhès, Head of SAF and CDR, Airbus
Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels
Darren Hulst, Vice President of Commercial Marketing, Boeing
Michel Azar-Hmouda, President of Commercial Aviation, CAE

Together, they answer one central question: where does the Middle East have the greatest opportunity to lead in sustainable aviation, and what could stand in the way?

Throughout the episode, the aviation leaders explore the region’s unique advantages, including large scale infrastructure, abundant renewable energy, strategic geography, and strong political commitment, positioning it as a proving ground for next generation sustainable aviation technologies. They also address the challenges that can potentially threaten progress, from workforce development and supply chain alignment to the difficulty of turning ambition into reality.

This is a compilation of highlights from five in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for the full interviews on our Sustainability In The Air platform.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Sponsor message: This episode was recorded live in partnership with the Dubai Airshow 2025 and CAE.

For nearly 80 years, CAE has delivered cutting-edge training and simulation solutions across 240 sites in over 40 countries, preparing aviation professionals for critical moments while putting sustainability at the center of what they do.

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In this episode, we speak with Julia Fidler, former Director of Market Development for Energy, Connectivity, and Sustainability at Microsoft, who shares how the company built partnerships that are reshaping corporate approaches to scope 3 emissions.

Fidler discusses:

How Microsoft’s early carbon fee on scope 1, 2, and 3.6 emissions created the foundation for treating business travel not just as a measurable category, but as a gateway to solving fuel emissions.
How Microsoft’s Sustainability Grant Program supported early exploration of emerging SAF markets through seed funding for consulting guidance and partnerships, creating a model for corporate innovation in hard-to-abate sectors.
Why Microsoft chose to support the most expensive SAF pathway (e-fuels/power-to-liquids) and how the concept of “green premium” enabled a three-way collaboration between Microsoft, Alaska Airlines, and Twelve.
How the partnership with IAG and the Chooose removed barriers for hundreds of Microsoft suppliers to purchase SAF for the first time.
Why Microsoft’s approach balanced carbon removal procurement with SAF investment alongside demand management, treating these not as competing priorities but as complementary strategies.

Fiddler also shares her journey from corporate travel management to leading industry-defining collaborations with airlines and SAF producers, and discusses how she’ll now be scaling these lessons globally through her new role at the RSB.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Etosha Cave, Co-founder & Chief Science Officer of Twelve, who shares how the carbon transformation company harnesses CO2 from industrial waste streams to produce e-fuels. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Microsoft Sustainability

Alaska Airlines teams with Microsoft to aid development of Twelve’s E-Jet power-to-liquid fuel - GreenAir News

How Microsoft is using an internal carbon fee to reach its carbon negative goal - Microsoft Industry Blogs

Microsoft signs sustainable aviation fuel purchase deal with IAG to tackle Scope 3 emissions - ESG Today

Why Twelve believes power-to-liquids will revolutionise sustainable aviation fuel production - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Matthew Ridley, Director of Sustainability and Innovation at the oneworld Alliance, who shares the story behind the groundbreaking $150 million Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) fund launched in partnership with the alliance’s member airlines and Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV).

Ridley discusses:

The alliance investment advantage: How pooling resources across oneworld members creates access to world-class venture capital expertise, superior deal flow, more diverse portfolios, and geographical networks.
Breakthrough Energy’s unprecedented value: Why partnering with BEV provides access to talent airlines struggle to attract, plus synergies with investments in nuclear fusion, energy transmission, and geologic hydrogen.
Next-generation focus vs. current needs: How the oneworld BEV fund targets technologies that can take aviation beyond 5-10% SAF adoption to truly change the trajectory of decarbonisation, complementing existing investments.
Breaking the alliance mould: How oneworld moved beyond traditional codeshares and interlining to tackle “initiatives of scale”, and how they attracted Singapore Airlines to join despite not being a oneworld member.
Reframing aviation’s challenge: Why the problem isn’t aviation itself, but rather the emissions from jet fuel, the only aspect of flight that hasn’t changed since the Kitty Hawk.

Ridley also shares insights from his seven years building IAG’s Hangar 51, where he led first-mover investments in ZeroAvia and LanzaJet, and explains why SAF isn’t a transition fuel but rather a permanent solution once emissions are addressed.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, who shares how the airline is investing in sustainable aviation technologies to achieve its ambitious climate goals. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - oneworld

oneworld becomes first airline alliance to join IATA CO2 connect - IATA

oneworld airline partners join with Breakthrough Energy Ventures to invest in new SAF technologies - GreenAir News

How Alaska Star Ventures is funding the future of sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Dr. Mar Fernández-Méndez, founder of MacroCarbon and professor at the University of Bremen, about her journey from Arctic ice researcher to seaweed entrepreneur.

Dr. Fernández shares how she's turning pelagic sargassum into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) while creating a carbon-negative process that enhances marine biodiversity.

Dr. Fernández discusses:

How Sargassum differs from other algae approaches, avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued microalgae biofuel attempts for decades.
MacroCarbon's integrated biorefinery that produces multiple revenue streams: bio-stimulants for agriculture, biochar for permanent carbon sequestration, carbon black for tyres and batteries, and ultimately SAF through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
The company's unique approach to hydrogen production, generating its own hydrogen internally rather than requiring external green hydrogen inputs.
Competitive economics at scale: producing SAF for lower than current market biofuel prices, while being species-agnostic and able to use any brown or green seaweed.
The roadmap from pilot to first-of-a-kind commercial facility in the Canary Islands, then expansion to Morocco, Azores, Cape Verde, and the Caribbean.
Balancing academia and entrepreneurship: maintaining her professorship while commercialising proven technology, and the parallels between academic grant-writing and startup fundraising.
The importance of storytelling in deep tech, moving beyond just having good data to communicating vision effectively for investors.
The "BlueSaf Plus" vision for 2035: carbon-negative biofuels that enhance marine biodiversity by maintaining floating ecosystems, proving we can have both healthy oceans and sustainable aviation.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry's challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book 'Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2'. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & more:

MacroCarbon
Dr. Mar Fernández-Méndez - Alfred Wegener Institute
Dr. Mar Fernández-Méndez - LinkedIn
Canary Islands Marine Science & Technology Park
EU ReFuelEU Aviation Mandate

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In this episode, we speak with Tamara Vrooman, CEO of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), who shares how the airport has committed to achieving net zero by 2030, and the detailed roadmap they’ve developed to get there.

Vrooman discusses:

YVR’s accelerated net zero timeline: How they moved from a 2040 target to 2030 by creating a detailed, measurable roadmap with component parts that track progress.
Four pathways to net zero: Capital build improvements (including Canada’s largest geo-exchange system with over 800 wells), conservation initiatives, sustainable fuels adoption, and comprehensive data monitoring.
Airports’ role in energy transition: How centrally providing electrification and sustainable energy infrastructure to all airport users creates far greater impact than individual airline or tenant initiatives, positioning airports as critical energy hubs.
Building British Columbia’s SAF ecosystem: YVR’s partnerships with Air Canada, the provincial government, and regional airports to address the SAF supply chain challenge.
ACI Level 4+ certification and accountability: Why data-driven accreditation matters for validating progress, enabling peer collaboration, and ensuring return on investment.
The SAF supply-demand paradox: Airlines are willing to purchase SAF and demand exists, but inconsistent supply remains the critical bottleneck.

Vrooman also shares leadership insights from her past roles, including leading Vancity Credit Union to achieve net zero and serving as British Columbia’s youngest female Deputy Finance Minister, where she helped design North America’s first carbon tax.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), who shares her vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Vancouver International Airport - YVR

From ground to sky: four sustainability actions at YVR - YVR

How YVR is reimagining the airport experience by blending CX, commercial innovation, and sustainability - FTE

Why airports should become energy innovation hubs, not just transport hubs - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Trevor Best, Co-founder and CEO of Syzygy Plasmonics, who shares how his company’s proprietary photocatalytic technology converts waste biogas into sustainable aviation fuel, and has the potential to reach fossil jet fuel parity.

Best discusses:

NovaSAF’s unique value proposition: converting biogas from landfills, dairy farms, and wastewater treatment plants into SAF, simultaneously addressing methane emissions whilst decarbonising aviation transport.
The technology’s competitive advantage: using light instead of heat which enables the use of raw biogas without extensive cleanup, scaling efficiently at smaller sites, and increasing yield by incorporating CO2 into the fuel rather than separating it out.
Strategic targeting of stranded biogas assets that are far from natural gas grids, which helps secure feedstock at low prices $5-6 per MMBtu, making jet fuel parity achievable.
How Syzygy is building the world’s first biogas-to-SAF plant in Uruguay, that can produce 400,000 gallons of SAF anually, serving as proof of concept before scaling to 100,000 tons per year by 2030 through clustered developments.
The global biogas opportunity: the International Energy Agency estimates reserves could theoretically produce 580 million tons per year of SAF, exceeding total global jet fuel consumption, though 95% remains stranded today.

Best also shares his leadership philosophy: the importance of listening over talking, the inevitability of failure in entrepreneurship, and why persistence matters more than avoiding mistakes.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dave Kettner, President and General Counsel at Virent, who shares the company’s pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future in aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Syzygy Plasmonics

Syzygy Plasmonics begins development of the world's first electrified biogas-to-SAF plant - PR Newswire

Syzygy Plasmonics outlines dual-certified, cost effective RFNBO and Bio SAF solution as Europe calls for urgent action on Net-Zero aviation - BioEnergy Times

Syzygy Plasmonics and Velocys partner for sustainable aviation fuel production in Uruguay - ChemAnalyst

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In this episode, we speak with Silvia Pugliese and Monica Larrazabal, co-founders of Norma and the only all-female founding team among the c.150 direct air capture startups operating today. They share how their breakthrough supercapacitor approach could drastically slash the energy requirements of carbon capture.

Pugliese and Larrazabal discuss:

How they discovered a way to "cheat" on energy requirements by combining supercapacitor energy storage technology with CO2 capture, creating a hybrid device that recycles energy through each capture cycle.
Their modular approach with desk-sized units that can be deployed anywhere, contrasting with competitors' massive industrial facilities requiring hundreds of millions in funding.
The company's measured approach to cost projections, deliberately avoiding the over-promising that has plagued the DAC industry, while still targeting dramatic improvements over current $600-1000 per tonne costs.
Securing pre-seed funding led by Contrarian VC, known for rigorous DAC due diligence, and landing MilkyWire as their first commercial client despite being in early development stages.
Their 2025-2030 roadmap: pilot testing in 2026, first commercial facility by 2029, and targeting megatonne-scale operations by 2030.
How airlines could use their CO2 for e-fuel production, with potential applications ranging from direct air capture and storage to point source capture, leveraging the technology's versatility.

The founders also discuss the challenges of being female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated deep tech sector, their base in central Paris near the Marie Curie museum, and their vision of normalising female-led climate tech companies by 2035.

Larrazabal explains why the DAC industry is in its "innovation decade" similar to renewable energy in the 1960s-70s, and why they believe they've found the "solar PV moment" for carbon capture.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry's challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book 'Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2'. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It's about time.

Links & more:

Norma
Contrarian VC
MilkyWire
Heirloom Carbon (Monica's former employer)
Marble - Climate Tech Accelerator (where Norma was incubated)

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In this episode, we speak with Nina Marczell, Senior Vice President of Industrial Sales & Marketing for Fuels & Feedstock at OMV, who shares how the integrated energy company is leading sustainable aviation fuel development from early production to commercial scale across Europe.

Marczell discusses:

OMV's early-mover advantage, launching SAF production at their Austrian refinery in 2022 – well ahead of EU mandates – starting with 2,000 tonnes through co-processing and scaling to 4,000 tonnes.
Europe's first major standalone SAF facility in Romania, featuring 250,000 tonnes annual capacity for SAF and renewable diesel, uniquely integrated with green hydrogen plants that serve both as feedstock and to decarbonise OMV's own refinery operations.
Strategic partnerships including groundbreaking collaboration with Airbus on feedstock acceleration, book-and-claim system development, and joint European market advocacy, plus an innovative SAF certificate programme with Microsoft.
Why SAF should be considered a premium product with distinct environmental attributes rather than pursuing cost parity with conventional jet fuel.
Critical challenges with EU RefuelEU mandate implementation, particularly the steep jumps from 2% to 6% to 20% SAF requirements.
OMV's ambitious target to produce up to 1.5 million tonnes of renewable fuels annually by 2030.

If you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversation we had with Etosha Cave, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Twelve. Check it out here.

Learn more about the startups, strategists, and sceptics working to close the gap between growth and green ambition in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

New book: Sustainability in the Air, Vol Two - SimpliFlying

Sustainable Aviation Fuel - OMV

Austria’s OMV signs deals to supply almost one million tonnes of SAF to Lufthansa Group and Ryanair – GreenAir News

OMV adds new processing plant at Schwechat refinery - Oil & Gas Journal

OMV Petrom approves renewable fuels plant for Petrobrazi refinery - Oil & Gas Journal

Airbus, OMV announce SAF collaboration to reduce carbon - Airport Technology

OMV and Microsoft accelerate decarbonization of corporate air travel and its supply chain logistics - OMV

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In this episode, we speak with Val Miftakhov, CEO and founder of ZeroAvia, who shares how the clean propulsion systems company is championing hydrogen-electric engines that could transform commercial aviation.

Miftakhov discusses:

ZeroAvia’s vertical integration strategy for developing in-house fuel cells, power electronics, and motors.
The company’s global expansion with Centres of Excellence in Seattle for electric propulsion systems, Kemble for aircraft integration, and the newly announced Glasgow facility for hydrogen fuel cells.
Major commercial traction with 3,000 engines ordered worth $10 billion and another 5,000 in the pipeline, representing up to 8% of the global commercial engine market, with customers including American Airlines and backing from Airbus as lead investor.
The certification milestone of achieving G1 approval from the FAA for their 600-kilowatt engine, with commercial operations expected to begin in 2027 for 10-20 seat aircraft, followed by larger regional aircraft in the early 2030s.
ZeroAvia’s liquid hydrogen developments for longer-range aircraft, including plans to eliminate contrail formation by condensing water vapour at altitude and releasing it as ice below the typical contrail formation zone.

Miftakhov also explains why he believes sustainable aviation fuel is ultimately a transition technology, arguing that hydrogen offers superior economics by avoiding the energy-intensive processes required to create synthetic fuels whilst delivering three times better efficiency through fuel cells versus combustion engines.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Elysian Aircraft, who shares the startup’s unique approach to electric aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia achieves FAA milestone for 600 kW electric aircraft propulsion system certification - Charged EVs

American Airlines signs landmark deal with ZeroAvia for 100 hydrogen-electric engines, ushering in a greener era for regional aviation - Travel And Tour World

ZeroAvia secures nine new patents to scale hydrogen fuel cell technology for regional aviation - Hydrogen Fuel News

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In this episode, we speak with Luke Farajallah, CEO of Loganair, UK's largest regional airline that operates the world's shortest commercial flight and the only airline globally that lands commercially on a beach.

Farajallah discusses:

Loganair's unique "fishing in a big pond" approach to sustainable aviation, investing simultaneously in SAF, hybrid-electric aircraft with Heart Aerospace, and hydrogen propulsion with ZeroAvia rather than betting on a single technology.
Why regional airlines are better positioned than major carriers to pioneer sustainable aviation, given their shorter routes, smaller aircraft, and wider technology options beyond expensive, imported sustainable aviation fuel.
The company's mandatory £1 carbon offset programme included in every ticket, funding local environmental projects across Scotland through their Green Skies initiative, achieving near-zero customer resistance.
Strategic partnerships, including equipping Embraer aircraft with 130kg water vapour sensors for the UK Met Office to study contrail environmental impacts, and plans for the world's first hydrogen-powered commercial flight from Orkney.

As a leader who transformed Loganair's operational performance from 22nd to 2nd place in European rankings in just 12 months, Farajallah brings a results-driven approach to balancing commercial viability with environmental responsibility whilst serving communities that depend entirely on aviation connectivity.

If you LOVED this episode, you'll also love the conversation we had with Sally Davey, CEO of Travelyst. Check it out here.

Learn more about the startups, strategists, and sceptics working to close the gap between growth and green ambition in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

New book: Sustainability in the Air, Vol Two - SimpliFlying

Loganair, ZeroAvia ready 2500 kW electric motor for hydrogen aviation future - Electrek

Loganair aiming to deliver the world’s first commercial hydrogen-fuel aircraft route - Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

Loganair partners with Heart Aerospace on hybrid-electric aircraft use - Airport Technology

Sustainability In The Air (2 book series) Paperback Edition - Amazon

How Travalyst is transforming tourism through data-driven collaboration - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.aero, who shares how the hybrid-electric aircraft company is using its patented blown-lift technology to make regional air travel more accessible.

Electra is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two.

You can learn more about the book and order a copy here.

Allen discusses:

Electra’s blown-lift technology that enables fixed-wing aircraft to take off and land like helicopters in just 150 feet, whilst maintaining the economics and safety of conventional aircraft through distributed electric propulsion across eight propellers.
The company’s unique value proposition built on four pillars: access, noise, cost, and emissions, which has attracted 2,200+ aircraft orders from 54 operators globally, including commercial airlines, helicopter operators, and defence customers.
Strategic partnerships with aerospace heavyweights including Safran for the world’s first certified turbo generator, Honeywell for fly-by-wire systems, and Lockheed Martin for defence applications, enabling rapid development and certification.
How Electra can achieve up to 60% emissions reductions on short-haul flights under 100 nautical miles compared to conventional aircraft.
The company’s Part 23 certification pathway that avoids the regulatory complexity facing eVTOL competitors, positioning Electra to reach market faster with proven technology.

Allen also shares his philosophy that sustainable aviation must create comprehensive value by combining emissions reductions with economic viability, and explains that electric propulsion can become competitive when it offers new forms of air travel capability that jet fuel cannot match.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anders Forslund, Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, who shares the radical transformation his electric aircraft company has undergone in the past year. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

Technology - Electra.aero

Why Electra CEO Marc Allen thinks travelers need a hybrid-electric plane - WSJ

Customer base grows for Electra’s EL9 hybrid-electric aircraft - Aviation International News

U.S. Army awards Electra contract to develop hybrid-electric aircraft tech - Military Aerospace

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In this episode, we speak with Etosha Cave, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Twelve, who shares how the carbon transformation company harnesses carbon dioxide from industrial waste streams to produce efuels.

Twelve is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two. You can learn more about the book and order a copy here.

Cave discusses:

Twelve’s carbon transformation technology that mimics photosynthesis, taking CO2 from industrial emissions, air, and landfills, combining it with water and renewable electricity through metal catalysts to create jet fuel and other products.
Strategic partnerships with airlines like Alaska Airlines and International Airlines Group (IAG) and tech companies like Microsoft, leveraging growing consumer demand for carbon-neutral travel solutions and the scalability advantages of power-to-liquids.
Twelve’s Moses Lake, Washington plant location choice, capitalising on abundant hydropower, state incentives, geographic proximity to partners, and the emerging cleantech hub.
How the company navigates political risks around climate incentives by focusing on carbon management as a bipartisan issue that creates jobs and economic value.

Cave also shares her vision for a future with completely closed carbon cycles and explains how Twelve aims to transform waste CO2 into the building blocks for everything from consumer products to aviation fuel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder & CEO of Twelve, who discusses the crucial role of clean technology in addressing environmental challenges. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

E-Jet® Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Twelve

Twelve and IAG sign historic long-term multi-million gallon SAF offtake agreement - Twelve

Alaska Airlines, Microsoft and Twelve partner to advance new form of sustainable aviation fuel - Alaska Airlines

United Airlines Invests in Twelve for Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Carbon Credits

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In this episode, we speak with Aaron Robinson, Vice President of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the International Airlines Group (IAG), which has become the top airline globally for SAF use.

IAG is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two. You can learn more about the book and order a copy here.

Robinson discusses:

How IAG leveraged European incentives, Heathrow Airport programmes, and emissions trading schemes to make SAF economically viable whilst partnering with corporate customers like DHL and Microsoft to fund the price gap.
Why 52% of airlines globally still haven’t used any SAF, exploring how the industry’s safety culture can create resistance to technological change and first-mover disadvantage.
The cultural and policy differences driving higher SAF adoption rates in Europe versus North
How regulatory backlash against sustainability claims can discourage innovation and communication about genuine progress.
The role of book-and-claim systems in optimising SAF deployment whilst developing production capacity in emerging markets across Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Why the industry needs both elements – collaboration to build infrastructure foundations and healthy competition to drive innovation.

Note: This interview was recorded in August 2024. For the latest figures on SAF use, follow Robinson’s ongoing LinkedIn series. You can read the first post here.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jolanda Stevens, Program Manager for Zero Emission Aviation at KLM, who shares how the airline is advancing sustainable aviation through innovation, partnerships, and strategic investment. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

Sustainability – International Airlines Group

Infinium and Twelve raise a total of up to $1.7 billion towards eSAF production – GreenAir News

Microsoft backs SAF for Scope 3 business travel emissions in agreements with IAG and FEG – GreenAir News

British Airways owner IAG ups sustainable fuel intake with Infinium – Forbes

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In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Neufang, CEO of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), who shares how the world’s leading business travel association is transforming corporate travel to accelerate aviation decarbonisation through industry collaboration.

Neufang discusses:

How sustainability priorities amongst travel managers more than doubled from 8% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, though the industry baseline remains at just 1.3 out of 5 on GBTA's sustainability maturity scale.
Why sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the most promising decarbonisation pathway for aviation today, and how corporate customers must play an active role in stimulating market demand through SAF certificate purchases.
How GBTA's Sustainability Acceleration Challenge mobilised over 240 companies to benchmark their decarbonisation efforts and identify best practices.
Why GBTA takes a pragmatic rather than activist approach, focusing on harmonising standards across the complex corporate travel ecosystem to eliminate inefficiencies.
How artificial intelligence holds great promise for optimising travel decisions and emissions tracking, with potential for 10-15% emissions reductions through more efficient air routing alone.
Why business travel serves as a catalyst for broader aviation sustainability, given that corporate travellers are the frequent flyers responsible for most airline profits and emissions.

Neufang also explains GBTA’s three-pronged strategy of bringing the industry together, rallying players around common standards, and building capacity at scale to move the entire travel industry towards more sustainable practices.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, who shares how the not-for-profit coalition is transforming the travel industry through collaborative data initiatives. Check it out here.

Learn more about the startups, strategists, and sceptics working to close the gap between growth and green ambition in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two’. Click here to learn more.

Links & more:

Global Business Travel Association - GBTA

Sustainability - GBTA

GBTA Sustainability Acceleration Challenge - GBTA Foundation

Business travel bounces back: spending forecast to hit record - Skift

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In this episode, we speak with Anders Forslund, Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, who shares the radical transformation his electric aircraft company has undergone in the past year — relocating from Sweden to Los Angeles and fundamentally changing how aerospace companies operate in the 21st century.

Forslund discusses:

Why Heart moved its operations to the US despite strong European roots, driven by the need to access customers, suppliers, and investors in the world’s largest aerospace market.
How the industry’s talent crisis stems from decades without clean sheet aircraft development, and why bringing in top performers from SpaceX, Tesla, and other mission-driven technology companies is essential for attracting the right talent.
Why all aerospace companies are actually software companies, given that most aircraft delays and crashes today stem from software issues rather than structural failures, and how this demands in-house control of software.
Why companies should actively take on uncertainty rather than minimise it, viewing adaptability as more crucial than strength or intelligence in today’s rapidly changing world.
How the loss of regional connectivity serves as the “canary in the coal mine” for broader industry problems, and why this represents the natural entry point for introducing new technology and training the next generation of aerospace talent.

Forslund also reveals his seven-rule framework for modern aerospace product development and explains why focusing on building rather than predicting the future is the key to success.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Elysian Aircraft, who discusses the startup’s unique approach to electric aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the startups, strategists, and sceptics working to close the gap between growth and green ambition in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two’. Click here to learn more.

Links & more:

Heart Aerospace

Heart Aerospace unveils full-scale 30-seat hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator - GreenAir News

Heart Aerospace relocates headquarters to Los Angeles - AviationSource News

Heart Aerospace to Launch World’s Largest Fully Electric Aircraft in 2025 - Aviacionline

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In this episode, we speak with Tom O'Leary, CEO and co-founder of JetZero, which is developing the world's first commercial blended wing body (BWB) aircraft that promises to revolutionise aviation efficiency and passenger experience.

JetZero is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two. You can learn more about the book and order a copy here.

O'Leary discusses:

JetZero's mission to bring the first all-wing jet to market by the early 2030s, touting its unbeatable 30% aerodynamic efficiency advantage.
How the BWB design achieves up to 50% reduction in fuel burn and emissions through optimised lift across the entire wingspan, reduced drag, lower weight from carbon composites, and integration with existing single-aisle-sized engines.
Strategic partnerships with the U.S. Air Force and NASA for dual-use development, plus collaboration with major suppliers like RTX (Pratt & Whitney) and airlines including Delta and Alaska.
Revolutionary passenger experience features including eight-foot ceilings, six boarding aisles, dedicated personal storage space, and wider seats across all classes.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr. Christoph Gebald, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Climeworks, who talks about scaling direct air capture technology and its vital role in sustainable aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the startups, strategists, and sceptics working to close the gap between growth and green ambition in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & more:

New book: Sustainability in the Air, Vol Two - SimpliFlying

JetZero

United Invests in JetZero, Could Acquire 200 Blended Wing Body Aircraft - FLYING Magazine

JetZero Pitches Blended Wing Body Tanker as 'Game-Changer’ - A&SF Magazine

‘Daunting but not impossible’: JetZero endeavors to deliver world’s first ‘all-wing’ commercial jet - Flight Global

Sustainability In The Air (2 book series) Paperback Edition - Amazon

How Climeworks is making Direct Air Capture a viable decarbonisation pathway - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Marion N Chivot-Legris, Director of ESG & Sustainability Strategy at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), who shares how the Canadian airport is leveraging its unique position to drive sustainability innovation across the region.

Chivot-Legris discusses:

YEG’s transformation into a “sustainability engine” for the entire region, building an integrated ecosystem that brings together clean energy companies, logistics, agri-food technologies, and education beyond traditional aviation operations.
The airport’s leadership in hydrogen development, leveraging Alberta’s position as Canada’s hydrogen corridor, with nearly 60% of the country’s hydrogen produced in the Edmonton metropolitan region, to test use cases from ground vehicles to potential future aircraft.
YEG’s methodical approach to hydrogen adoption, starting with Toyota Mirai cars and Hyundai NEXO vehicles before progressing to heavier equipment like hydrogen-diesel dual fuel runway sweepers as stepping stones toward future hydrogen infrastructure.
The airport’s complementary approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen, and how it’s working with local partners to advance SAF production.
Key lessons for airports beginning their sustainability journey: progress doesn’t require perfection, partnerships are essential, and transparency in sharing both successes and challenges builds trust and encourages collaboration.

Chivot-Legris also offers unique insights into how airports can serve as innovation hubs that extend their impact far beyond traditional aviation operations.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Swedavia’s Lena Wennberg & Therese Forsström, who share the airport operator’s ambitious plans for a fossil-free future. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air: Volume 2’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Environmental, social & governance (ESG) - YEG Corporate

Hydrogen-powered runway sweepers at Edmonton Airport - International Airport Review

Drone Delivery Canada expands collaborative drone operations at Edmonton International Airport - DRONELIFE

Edmonton Airport and ZeroAvia partner to develop hydrogen infrastructure in Canada - FTE

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In this special episode, SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam and Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer sit down with senior leaders from three companies featured in their upcoming book, Sustainability in the Air, Vol. II.

Joining the conversation are Jonathon Counsell (Group Head of Sustainability, IAG), Diana Birkett Rakow (SVP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Alaska Airlines), and Ashwin Jadhav (VP of Business Development, Twelve). Together, they explore how their organisations are addressing aviation’s toughest sustainability challenges — and where the industry is headed next.

Here are some key highlights from the episode:

Why Volume II? Singer explains why the time was right for a second volume of Sustainability in the Air: the landscape has shifted dramatically in just 18 months, with a sharper focus on commercial viability and real-world implementation.
Industry maturation: The sustainable aviation sector has evolved to focus on business benefits beyond environmental credentials — being green alone is no longer enough.
IAG’s SAF usage: Counsell shares how IAG has become an industry frontrunner in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), using 162,000 tons last year — about 1.9% of its total fuel consumption.
Long-term partnerships:Jadhav discusses Twelve’s landmark 14-year SAF offtake agreement with IAG – an extraordinary commitment in an industry where one-year contracts are the norm.
Investing in innovation: Birkett Rakow highlights Alaska Airlines’ approach to sustainability through strategic investments in climate tech companies like Twelve, ZeroAvia, and JetZero via Alaska Star Ventures.
Corporate partnerships: The discussion explores how Microsoft’s partnership with Alaska Airlines and Twelve is helping absorb the green premium — demonstrating the role non-aviation players can play in accelerating industry transformation.
The role of policy: All three guests weigh in on the urgent need for government support to help scale sustainable aviation solutions.

Sustainability in the Air Vol. II will be available soon, and you can preorder your copy now on Amazon. Be among the first to discover these practical insights from airlines, airports, and climate tech companies working to decarbonise aviation.

Links & More:

Sustainability in the Air: Innovators transforming aviation for a greener future - SimpliFlying

Alaska Airlines’ multi-faceted approach to achieving net zero by 2040 - SimpliFlying

How Twelve’s carbon transformation technology is making carbon-neutral fuels a reality - SimpliFlying

Why IAG is focusing on the practicality of SAF more than emerging technologies - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Jolanda Stevens, Program Manager for Zero Emission Aviation at KLM, who shares how the airline is preparing for a more sustainable future of aviation through innovative technologies and strategic investment in emerging solutions.

Stevens discusses:

KLM’s unique approach to innovation with a dedicated team focused on the “disruptive” aviation technology, working on future solutions like electric and hydrogen aircraft whilst maintaining their core flight operations.
How different zero-emission technologies will serve specific segments of KLM’s network, with battery-electric suitable for shorter routes, hydrogen for medium-range, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) remaining crucial for long-haul flights.
KLM’s systematic process for evaluating potential technology partners based on aircraft concepts, technical assumptions, company credibility, and even “gut feeling” to determine which innovations deserve investment.
The airline’s research into passenger perceptions of new technologies, addressing critical questions about safety, comfort, and willingness to pay for sustainable aviation solutions.
KLM’s role in driving system-wide transformation, recognising that zero-emission aviation requires changes in infrastructure, legislation, ground handling, and safety protocols across the entire industry.

As a pilot who found deeper purpose in sustainability work, Stevens offers unique insights into how a 105-year-old airline is actively shaping aviation’s next technological revolution rather than simply waiting for it to arrive.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability Officer at Delta Air Lines, who shares the airline’s collaborative vision for sustainability. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

What KLM does to make air travel more sustainable - KLM

KLM and ZeroAvia plan zero-emission demonstration flight using liquid hydrogen - Zeroavia

KLM joins Heart Aerospace, will help design its electric turboprop - Aviacionline

Why is KLM Calling for Stricter SAF Policies from the EU? - Sustainability Magazine

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In this episode, we speak with Martin Gauss, former CEO of airBaltic, who transformed the Latvian flag carrier into one of Europe’s most innovative airlines while connecting the entire Baltic region.

Gauss discusses:

The benefits of operating a single-fleet airline with the highly efficient Airbus A220-300, resulting in 30% lower fuel consumption than older generation aircraft and contributing to airBaltic's path to carbon neutrality by 2050.
airBaltic’s innovative dual business model that combines scheduled operations with wet lease services for major carriers like Lufthansa Group, creating flexibility and financial resilience.
The airline’s commitment to sustainability through fleet modernisation, gradually increasing SAF usage, and partnerships with innovative manufacturers like Fokker NextGen for hydrogen-powered aircraft.
How airBaltic established itself as an industry leader in adopting new technologies, from becoming the first airline to accept Bitcoin in 2014 to pioneering Starlink internet service in Europe.
His perspective on balancing growth with sustainability, emphasising that connectivity is essential for economic development while working toward emission-free aviation.
The Baltic states’ capacity for innovation, demonstrating how a small country like Latvia can lead the way in aviation technology and sustainability.

As an airline pilot-turned-CEO, Gauss offers valuable insights into how smaller airlines can lead industry change through bold technology choices and business model innovation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), who shares the airline’s ambitious sustainability initiatives. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ESG - airBaltic

Fokker Next Gen partners with airBaltic on new liquid hydrogen powered commercial aircraft – GreenAir News

airBaltic achieves one-Year milestone in increased SAF implementation - Travel And Tour World

airBaltic to Expand Training Fleet With All-Electric eD40 - FLYING Magazine

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In this episode, we speak with Amaury Barberot, CEO of Expliseat, about how the company's innovative lightweight seating technology is delivering immediate sustainability benefits for airlines while improving their bottom line.

Barberot discusses:

Expliseat's revolutionary aircraft seat design made from carbon fibre and titanium that is 30% lighter than comparable products, saving approximately 1,200 kilograms when retrofitted on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.
The immediate environmental impact of their lightweight seats, which deliver a 6% CO2 emission reduction per passenger without requiring airlines to wait for future technology developments.
How the weight reduction focuses on the "invisible parts" of the seat, preserving passenger comfort while still delivering sustainability benefits.
The company's circular manufacturing approach, which recycles industrial waste from seat frames to create new components like tray tables, further reducing their environmental footprint.
Their recent expansion into the rail industry, where their lightweight technology helps train operators overcome axle weight limitations to improve passenger amenities or increase capacity.

Barberot emphasises that Expliseat represents one of the rare sustainability solutions where "CSO and CFO do not fight," highlighting how their technology aligns environmental and economic objectives for airlines across different regions and business models.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO at RECARO Aircraft Seating and Recaro Holding. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Expliseat

Expliseat Showcases New Lightweight Seating at MRO Americas 2025 - Aviation Pros

Why every kilogram counts: the critical role of cabin design in sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying

Expliseat TiSeat 2 X: the inside story - Aircraft Interiors International

Expliseat brings ultra-light aircraft seats to rail industry - Runway Girl Network

Expliseat aims to be lightweight champion in aircraft seats - Flight Global

How sustainable aircraft seats can be a game-changer - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Lena Wennberg, Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström, Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia, which owns and operates 10 airports across Sweden, connecting the country both internally and with the rest of the world.

Wennberg and Forsström discuss:

Swedavia’s achievement of fossil-free operations in 2020 in their own airport operations, backed by committed leadership that views sustainability as a “license to operate.”
Their ambitious goal to enable fossil-free domestic flights in Sweden by 2030, primarily through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with plans to reach 10% SAF usage.
Swedavia’s incentive program that covers 50% of the premium cost for airlines refuelling with SAF, plus their procurement of SAF for their own business travel for the last nine years.
The airport’s preparations for future technologies, including charging infrastructure for electric aircraft at smaller airports and collaboration with Airbus on hydrogen infrastructure.
The balancing of sustainability with operational needs in a country where air travel is essential due to the vast geography.

As industry leaders working towards fossil-free aviation since long before it became mainstream, Swedavia offers a compelling example of how airports can transform environmental commitments into tangible action while maintaining operational excellence.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Strategy for sustainability - Swedavia

Swedavia allocates SEK40m for SAF incentives - SAF Investor

Swedavia raises SEK 2 billion through green bond issuance to support sustainable investments and operations - International Airport Review

Airbus, SAS, Swedavia and Vattenfall pave the way for hydrogen aviation in Sweden and Norway - Airbus

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In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo, Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org, a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action.

Mirolo discusses:

The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation CO2 emissions since the jet age.
The concentrated nature of the problem, with just 5% of flights causing about 80% of aviation’s contrail warming effect, primarily over Europe, North America, and the North Atlantic.
Contrails.org’s three-pillar approach focusing on science (improving understanding of contrail impacts), technology (developing open-source tools and protocols), and adoption (raising awareness and fostering incentives).
The cost-effectiveness of contrail mitigation compared to other decarbonisation options, with studies suggesting only 0.11% extra fuel burn across airline fleets.
The vision for seamless integration into airline operations, where contrail avoidance becomes as routine as avoiding turbulence or adverse weather.

Contrails.org seeks to be an open, collaborative space, with Mirolo likening it to “a tent under which people can put their furniture.” Its goal is to address the contrail issue through collective effort, recognising that effective management requires coordination across the aviation sector.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shared insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Contrails.org

How airplane contrails are helping make the planet warmer - Yale e360

Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience

Understanding contrail management: opportunities, challenges, and insights - RMI

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In this episode, we speak with Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, who leads Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainable aviation technologies. Saleh shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability investments and their vision for decarbonising the industry.

Saleh discusses:

The founding vision for Alaska Star Ventures, which was established to accelerate the development of technologies that don’t yet exist but are essential for achieving net zero.
The investment strategy that started with partnerships with firms to gain expertise before making direct investments, resulting in nearly $90 million deployed to date across various aviation sustainability technologies.
Strategic investments in companies like Jet Zero, a blended wing aircraft that could deliver up to 50% fuel reduction.
The airline’s approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments through companies like Twelve and Air Company, focusing on Power-to-Liquid technology that produces fuel from air and water.

Saleh emphasises that sustainability investments are “going to give rise to whole new industries that don’t exist yet today,” highlighting Alaska Airlines’ approach to shaping the future of sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Eveliina Huurre, SVP, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares the airline’s comprehensive approach to sustainability as it celebrated its centenary last year. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Alaska Airlines launches investment arm to accelerate progress to net zero - Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines announces investment in JetZero to propel innovative aircraft technology and design - PR Newswire

Alaska Airlines’ venture lab spins out its first startup: Odysee - TechCrunch

ESG - Alaska Airlines

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In this episode, we speak with Eveliina Huurre, Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability and their ambitious targets to reduce emissions.

Huurre discusses:

The employee engagement initiative that yielded 300 sustainability ideas, with 100 selected for implementation during Finnair’s centenary celebrations, ranging from small cultural changes to more substantial investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Finnair’s science-based target to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 34.5% by 2033 (using 2023 as the baseline), translating to approximately 13% net reduction in absolute CO2 emissions, despite expected growth.
The central role of SAF in Finnair’s sustainability strategy, with plans to increase its usage from 0.4% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, and to double voluntary SAF purchases in 2025.
Finnair’s approach to operational efficiencies, including fuel-saving strategies like optimised aircraft allocation, pilot training for fuel efficiency and single engine taxiing.
Innovative customer engagement through a simple SAF contribution option in the booking process, allowing passengers to contribute between €3-15 per flight, with early adoption exceeding expectations.
The importance of industry collaboration at national, European and global levels, working with organisations like IATA, oneworld alliance (on joint SAF purchases), and A4E on policy frameworks to enable the energy transition in aviation.

Huurre emphasises that making aviation sustainable isn’t about “who gets there first, but how we do this together,” highlighting Finnair’s approach to the challenges and opportunities in advancing sustainable air travel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Grace Cheung, General Manager of Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about the airline’s “greener together” approach to sustainable aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Finnair

Finnair announces 100 sustainability efforts to mark 100 years - Inflight

6 highlights of our sustainability work from last year - Finnair

Finnair sets 34.5% reduction target for emissions intensity by 2033, driving a 13% absolute CO2e cut - Travel And Tour World

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In this special episode, we bring together Patrick Edmond, Managing Director of Altair Advisory, and Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, to discuss whether aviation demand management is a myth or a necessary component of climate action.

Moderated by Dirk Singer, SimpliFlying’s Head of Sustainability, the discussion stems from a heated LinkedIn exchange between Patrick and Shashank, sparked by Shashank’s reflections after speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. As the debate gained momentum online, many called for a live conversation – so we decided to host the debate on Sustainability in the Air.

The debate covers:

The fundamental tension between airline growth ambitions and climate goals, with Shashank sharing insights from his Davos roundtable where aviation CEOs emphasised unfettered growth instead of sustainable growth.
The concept of the “guilt premium” versus the “good global citizen premium” in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption to achieve price parity, with Patrick arguing that systemic policy changes are needed rather than relying on individual airline actions.
The relationship between ticket pricing and travel behaviour, and whether raising ticket prices can curb aviation demand.
The frequent flyer problem, with a small percentage of travellers accounting for a disproportionate share of emissions, and why a frequent flyer levy is an effective solution.
Unexpected silver linings, such as how loyalty program changes might inadvertently encourage more sustainable corporate travel practices.

In the end, despite their differing perspectives, Shashank and Patrick found common ground, agreeing that while technological innovation is crucial, broader systemic approaches are needed to address aviation’s growing climate impact.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Lee Beck and Thomas Walker of the Clean Air Task Force who discuss the complex challenges and innovative solutions for decarbonising the aviation industry. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Why “flying less” offers the best path to sustainable aviation - T&E

Aviation likely to be the UK’s leading emitter by 2040, forecasts Climate Change Committee - GreenAir News

Aviation demand management’s role in deep decarbonisation pathways - Possible

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In this episode, we speak with Lucca Ewbank, Program Manager, Transport at InfluenceMap, who shares how the non-profit think tank uses data-driven analysis to assess corporate engagement with climate policies, and holds the corporate and financial sectors accountable for their role in climate change.

Ewbank discusses:

The significant disparity between what airlines say publicly versus what they advocate for in private meetings with policymakers, uncovered through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that reveal how industry associations often oppose stronger climate regulations.
The clear split within the aviation sector between “positive leaders” (typically low-cost carriers) who support more ambitious climate policies, and “laggards” (legacy carriers) who often oppose extensions of emissions trading schemes.
Concerns about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies, particularly how some industry players advocate for feedstock calculations that might underestimate emissions.
The aviation industry’s consistent opposition to demand management measures, with examples of airlines taking legal action against flight caps at airports.
The role investors can play in encouraging positive climate policy engagement by holding companies accountable for their lobbying activities and pushing for transparency between public commitments and private advocacy.

Ewbank emphasises that while there are encouraging signs from some industry leaders, aviation emissions continue to grow rapidly even as other sectors reduce their climate impact, with EU aviation emissions rising 9.5% in 2023 while overall EU emissions fell by 8%.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager at Transport & Environment, who discusses the need for more ambitious policies and actions to address aviation’s environmental impact. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

InfluenceMap

New research shows major US airline and biofuel industries push for weaker US sustainable aviation fuel policy - InfluenceMap

US Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policies and corporate engagement - InfluenceMap

EY, Capgemini & InfluenceMap: How to close the 'Say-Do Gap' - Sustainability Magazine

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In this episode, we speak with Jan Toschka, CEO of Zaffra, a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol. Toschka shares insights about scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and why he believes the aviation industry must take responsibility for its own decarbonisation rather than relying on other sectors.

Toschka discusses:

The unique positioning of Zaffra, combining Topsoe’s expertise in low-carbon HEFA technology with Sasol’s experience in building and operating large-scale gas-to-liquid facilities, positioning them strongly in both renewable and synthetic SAF production.
His perspective on financing SAF infrastructure, breaking down the seemingly daunting €250 billion European investment needed by 2050 into more manageable numbers – about €10 billion annually, which could be funded by approximately €10 per passenger across Europe's billion annual travellers.
The complementary role of different SAF technologies, with HEFA being the most de-risked pathway currently available, whilst power-to-liquid (PTL) solutions are expected to provide at least 50% of SAF volume in 20-30 years.
The importance of both mandates and incentives in driving SAF adoption, with EU mandates helping de-risk demand whilst US incentives under the IRA make investments more manageable. Toschka suggests a combination of both approaches, similar to the UK model, might work best.
The strategic approach to SAF distribution, advocating for focused deployment at 20-30 major hub airports initially, supported by book-and-claim systems, rather than attempting immediate widespread distribution across all airports.

Toschka emphasises that whilst the aviation industry should pursue multiple decarbonisation pathways including hydrogen and electric aircraft, SAF remains the only viable solution for long-haul aviation in the foreseeable future, and the industry cannot afford to wait for perfect solutions whilst existing aircraft continue operating.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sarah Ellerby, CEO of Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a UK-based cleantech company that has created a patented technology to enable SAF production from agricultural and forestry waste. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Zaffra

Sasol and Topsoe launch Zaffra: A venture to help decarbonise aviation - Renewable Energy Magazine

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In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain.

Cheung discusses:

Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environmental initiatives into understandable business language for stakeholders and customers.
Cathay’s ambitious target of achieving 10% SAF usage by 2030, including their innovative partnership with HSBC Hong Kong and EcoCeres to develop local SAF supply chains in Asia.
The evolution of sustainability at Cathay, from early voluntary environmental reporting in 1998 to today’s comprehensive approach involving fleet modernisation, with a HKD100 billion investment in over 100 new aircraft over the next seven years.
How cross-industry collaboration in sustainable aviation, particularly through oneworld Alliance and International Air Transport Association (IATA) partnerships, allows airlines to share best practices for environmental progress. Cheung chairs the oneworld alliance Environment & Sustainability Board and is Vice Chair of the IATA Sustainability & Environment Advisory Council.
The challenges of funding SAF’s price premium and potential solutions, including government initiatives like Singapore’s SAF levy and Hong Kong’s upcoming SAF usage targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Cathay Pacific

Cathay sets new 2030 carbon intensity target in support of its 2050 net-zero goal - Cathay Pacific

HSBC Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific and EcoCeres partner to support SAF use

Cathay to invest over HKD 100 billion to enhance product and customer experience - ETTravelWorld

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In this episode, we speak with Dick Benschop, Chair of the Board at Mission Possible Partnership (MPP),

an alliance of climate leaders focused on supercharging efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.

Benschop discusses:

The challenge of decarbonising aviation amid rapid growth with focus on both efficiency and sustainable fuels.
How blending mandates can break the “chicken and egg” problem between SAF suppliers and airlines, with Europe’s 2% mandate in 2025 serving as a catalyst for market development. Currently, there are 40 SAF plants in operation and 10 with Final Investment Decision (FID), representing about 50% of 2030 capacity needs, with 143 more plants announced*.
The importance of smart environmental constraints over simple capacity caps, advocating for declining noise and CO2 emission limits that allow airlines to “earn their place” through innovation.
The potential for electric and hydrogen aircraft to serve up to one-third of aviation energy demand by 2050, with electric planes operational by 2030 and hydrogen aircraft following by 2035.
How breaking down silos between sectors can accelerate decarbonisation, using lessons from aviation’s blending mandates to inform solutions in other industries like green fertiliser production.

Benschop emphasises that achieving net-zero aviation requires looking beyond individual sectors to system-wide solutions, highlighting the need for coordinated action across industry, government and consumers.

*Note: The podcast mentions different figures for the number of SAF plants needed. The numbers cited above reflect MPP’s latest analysis, which shows that actual plants are larger than initially assumed, meaning fewer total plants are needed to meet 2030 capacity targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI, who shares the non-profit’s multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Mission Possible Partnership

Aviation - Mission Possible Partnership

Aviation Net Zero Explorer - Mission Possible Partnership

Mission Possible Partnership unveils how three of the most carbon intensive industries can reach net zero by 2050 and cut emissions in the next decade - RMI

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In this episode, we speak with Anna Stratton, Associate Director, Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform for philanthropy that has granted over $2 billion to climate solutions across 50 countries.

Stratton shares insights into how philanthropic funding can drive aviation’s transition to net zero while ensuring emerging markets aren’t left behind. She discusses:

The crucial role of philanthropy in advancing sustainable aviation solutions through research, analysis, and policy development
Why Europe’s ReFuelEU policy sets a strong standard for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate with its long-term outlook to 2050, specific e-fuel requirements, and robust sustainability safeguards
The potential of hydrogen for short and medium-haul flights, and the innovative approach of collaborating with shipping sector for infrastructure solutions
Why contrail mitigation represents an exciting near-term opportunity for emissions reduction, and the importance of monitoring and verification
The need to reimagine aviation growth, particularly focusing on high-flying groups like corporate travelers

Stratton emphasises that while industry focuses heavily on SAF, a comprehensive vision for net-zero aviation must include multiple solutions. She also outlines how philanthropy can strategically support civil society in driving aviation’s sustainable transformation, highlighting the need for both technological innovation and behavioural change.

Please note: This interview was recorded in September 2024. ClimateWorks has since updated its 2024 transportation grants, with $5.5M allocated to aviation, $72.3M to road transportation, and $13.3M to maritime shipping, bringing the total to $91.1M. The updated data is available on their website.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, who shares insights about transforming the travel industry through collaborative data initiatives. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ClimateWorks Foundation

Transportation - ClimateWorks Foundation

Less is more: How reducing demand for unnecessary business flights can help curb aviation emissions - ClimateWorks Foundation

Decarbonising aviation gains momentum with new net-zero goal - ClimateWorks Foundation

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In this episode, we speak with Matthew Gorman, Director of Carbon Strategy and Sustainability at Heathrow Airport.

With 16 years at the helm of Heathrow's sustainability initiatives, Gorman shares how one of the world’s busiest airports is tackling aviation’s climate impact while maintaining its crucial role in global connectivity.

Gorman discusses:

Heathrow’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) incentive scheme, which creates a funding pool through landing charges to help airlines bridge the cost gap of SAF adoption. Starting at 0.5% in 2022, the target will reach 3% by next year, with approximately 20 airlines participating.
The breakdown of Heathrow’s carbon footprint, highlighting that nearly 95% comes from aircraft operations, around 5% from ground activities such as surface access and the supply chain, and just 0.1% from direct operations (Scope 1).
The future of hydrogen aviation, with expectations of first hydrogen-powered services in the early 2030s starting with turboprops, and how Heathrow is preparing infrastructure through research partnerships and dedicated testing facilities.
Their innovative approach to NOx emissions reduction, targeting 18% reduction in airside operations and 60% in non-aircraft operations by 2030, driven by Heathrow’s proximity to London.

Throughout the conversation, Gorman emphasises the critical balance between maintaining aviation’s connectivity benefits while achieving net zero, and how airports can lead the sector’s sustainability transition through influence and advocacy despite controlling only a small fraction of total emissions.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Heathrow 2.0 Sustainability Strategy

Heathrow Airport targets 3% SAF use in 2025 - Biodiesel Magazine

Heathrow launches ‘Nature Positive Plan’ to tackle biodiversity loss - edie

Four of UK's biggest airports pledge to ‘Back British SAF’ - Aerospace Global News

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In this episode, we speak with Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst. Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition that brings together leading companies from the travel and technology sectors.

Davey shares insights into Travalyst’s mission and its impact on making tourism more sustainable through collaborative data initiatives. She discusses:

How Travalyst has united competing travel giants like Google, Booking.com, and Expedia to work together on sustainability, creating a coalition with a market worth of nearly $3 trillion that shares data and standards non-competitively.
The critical role of data in driving change. Travalyst aims to create consistent, accessible sustainability metrics across the travel industry.
How the Travel Impact Model (TIM) has powered over 65 billion flight searches worldwide, helping travellers make informed decisions about their carbon footprint when booking flights. The model is open-source and freely available to all industry players.
Travalyst’s expansion into accommodation sustainability through their Data Hub initiative, which tracks 60 attributes across 6 environmental and social categories, and their certification program that has validated 49 sustainability standards.
Their vision for regenerative tourism that goes beyond reducing negative impacts to actively benefiting local communities, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing environmental conservation.

Throughout the conversation, Davey emphasises the importance of balancing environmental and economic sustainability, the power of industry collaboration, and how data-driven decisions can transform tourism into a force for good.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sebnem Erzan, Global Head of Travel Sustainability & Transport at Google, who shares the tech giant’s vision for sustainable travel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Travalyst

Travel Impact Model

Flight emissions data shown in over 65 billion searches worldwide - Travalyst

First flights, now the Travalyst climate coalition turns to hospitality data - Skift

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In this episode, we speak with Dr. Christoph Gebald, co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, one of the world’s leading direct air capture (DAC) companies. Gebald shares insights into Climeworks’ journey and vision for the future, and the crucial role of carbon removal in achieving sustainable aviation.

He discusses:

How their direct air capture technology (DAC) removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it permanently underground through mineralisation.
Climeworks has achieved a significant technological breakthrough with their Generation 3 technology, which doubles CO2 capture capacity per module while halving energy consumption, making it increasingly cost-competitive.
Climeworks’ notable partnerships with major airlines including SWISS, Lufthansa, and British Airways.
Climeworks’ second commercial direct air capture and storage plant Mammoth, which opened in 2024 in Iceland. The facility is designed to capture up to 36,000 tons of CO2 annually once fully operational and is the world’s largest DAC facility.
Climeworks Solutions, which offers a portfolio approach to carbon removal that combines their DAC with other methods like biochar and afforestation, meeting clients’ needs for diversified climate action strategies.

Throughout the conversation, Gebald emphasises the complementary nature of different climate solutions, the importance of both technological and natural approaches, and his optimism about consumer demand driving sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anna Stukas, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at 1PointFive, who discusses DAC’s crucial role in aviation’s path to net zero. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Climeworks

Climeworks strikes 40,000-ton carbon removal deal with Morgan Stanley - WSJ

SWISS, Lufthansa Group sign carbon removal deal with Climeworks - ESG Today

Climeworks opens world’s largest plant to extract CO2 from air in Iceland - Reuters

It’s getting cheaper to filter carbon dioxide out of the air - The Verge

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In this special holiday episode, we re-visit conversations with six aviation industry executives about their approaches to sustainability and decarbonisation.

Scandinavian Airlines CEO Anko van der Werff shares how regional environmental consciousness shapes their strategy, combining SAF adoption with electric and hydrogen partnerships. Their first electric flight is scheduled for 2028.
Alaska Airlines SVP Diana Birkett Rakow details their 2040 net-zero target, with initiatives including employee bonus links to carbon targets and a partnership with Microsoft for synthetic fuel production.
Boeing’s Chief Sustainability Officer Brian Moran discusses their “SAF&” strategy and goal for 100% SAF-compatible aircraft by 2030. They’re advancing electric propulsion through their Saab 340B retrofit project.
Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis reveals how they’ve operated completely off-grid for three years using a microgrid system, while developing multiple SAF pathways and an innovation testing ground.
Truckee Tahoe Airport GM Robb Etnyre describes becoming the first airport to fully adopt SAF, achieving price parity with conventional jet fuel at $8 per gallon.
IAG’s Group head of Sustainability Jonathon Counsell outlines their commitment to 10% SAF fuel use by 2030, emphasizing the importance of managing cost transitions across the industry.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

How SAS wants to pioneer sustainable aviation in Scandinavia

Alaska Airlines’ multi-faceted approach to achieving net zero by 2040

How Boeing’s ‘SAF&’ strategy is laying the foundation for sustainable flying

Why airports should become energy innovation hubs, not just transport hubs

How Truckee Tahoe Airport is transitioning towards its 100% SAF goal

Why IAG is focusing on the practicality of SAF more than emerging technologies

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In this special holiday episode, we explore conversations with five industry leaders developing innovative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production technologies.

INERATEC CEO Tim Boeltken explains their modular e-fuel technology that converts green hydrogen and CO2 into carbon-neutral liquid fuels. They aim to transform 1 gigawatt of renewable energy into 125 million gallons of sustainable e-fuel by early 2030s.
LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis discusses their alcohol-to-jet technology, which efficiently converts ethanol into 90% SAF and 10% renewable diesel. Their Georgia facility, LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels, is the world’s first ethanol-to-SAF production plant.
Twelve CEO Nicholas Flanders details their E-Jet® fuel technology that transforms CO2 and water into aviation fuel with up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions. Their partnership with Alaska Airlines and Microsoft aims to scale E-Jet® production.
Arcadia eFuels CEO Amy Hebert outlines their strategy to scale commercial e-fuel production without pilot plants, targeting 100 million litres annually through fully electrified facilities that could reduce CO2 emissions by 250,000 tonnes.
Nova Pangaea Technologies CEO Sarah Ellerby describes their REFNOVA® technology that converts agricultural and woody wastes into SAF precursors. Their Project Speedbird partnership with LanzaJet and British Airways has secured £9 million in UK government funding.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love all the conversations we had through the year with dozens of industry executives, technology leaders and scientists. Check out the archive here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

How INERATEC plans to turn 1 gigawatt of power into 125 million gallons of e-fuel

LanzaJet plans to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030

How Twelve’s carbon transformation technology is making carbon-neutral fuels a reality

Are eFuels the holy grail of sustainable aviation fuels?

How Nova Pangaea Technologies plans to turn agricultural and forestry waste into SAF

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In this episode, we speak with Valérie Guénon, Vice President of Product Environment Policies at Safran Aircraft Engines. She shares insights into how the company aims to tackle its environmental challenges through innovative engine design and sustainable fuel integration.

Guénon discusses Safran’s comprehensive approach to aviation sustainability, and highlights:

The RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, developed in partnership with GE Aerospace that features an innovative open fan architecture that could significantly reduce fuel consumption by removing the heavy engine nacelle and optimising propulsive efficiency.
Safran’s commitment to environmental research, with the company dedicating 88% of its self-funded research to environmental performance improvements, covering areas like CO2 reduction, noise reduction, and local air pollution mitigation.
Safran is actively working to ensure engine compatibility with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), addressing challenges beyond just combustion.
Through the Renewable Low Carbon Fuels European Alliance, Safran chairs the aviation chamber and helps coordinate industry-wide efforts to scale up SAF production and adoption.
The complexities of hydrogen adoption in aviation, drawing from Safran’s experience with rocket propulsion.
Safran’s electrification initiatives that focus on smaller aircraft through Safran Electrical & Power.

Throughout the conversation, Guénon emphasises that while engine manufacturers can’t control air traffic growth, they can significantly impact efficiency.

Guénon also shares her pioneering experience as a woman in aerospace engineering, highlighting how both cultural changes and legislation have improved gender equality in the field.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Graham Webb, Chief Sustainability Officer at Pratt and Whitney. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Safran

How Safran is helping to develop sustainable fuels - Safran

GE Aviation and Safran launch advanced technology demonstration programme for sustainable engines - ERA

Safran invests €1bn to develop global MRO network for LEAP engine - Aerospace Manufacturing

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In this episode, we talk to Kennedy Ricci, President of 4AIR, who shares insights into how business aviation can accelerate sustainability initiatives that could benefit the entire industry.

4AIR helps private aviation stakeholders implement impactful sustainability programs, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and industry commitments through independent reviews. Ricci explains 4AIR’s broad approach to aviation sustainability, that extends beyond traditional carbon offsetting.

He discusses:

The development of 4AIR’s four-tier rating system for aviation sustainability, starting with carbon offsetting and progressing to more advanced solutions including SAF usage and investment in future technologies.
Recent research on contrail reduction shows that adjusting just 50 flights out of nearly 17,000 could reduce the non-CO2 impact by about 50%. The study also found that 70% of contrail-producing flights could have avoided contrails by flying at different altitudes.
The stark difference in contrail formation between US and European operations, with aircraft making contrails almost twice as frequently in Europe due to air traffic control (ATC) practices, highlighting the importance of ATC cooperation in sustainability efforts.
Business aviation’s outsized role in sustainable aviation fuel adoption, consuming about 10-15% of global SAF production despite representing only 2% of aviation fuel usage, effectively serving as an early adopter for the broader industry.
The implementation of innovative tracking solutions through their Assure platform, which has documented over 15 million gallons of SAF and helped establish a more robust system for tracking sustainable fuel usage.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Eloa Guillotin, Co-Founder & CEO of Beyond Aero. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

4AIR

4AIR launches Assure SAF registry to track and validate sustainable aviation fuel - Financial Post

4AIR awarded prestigious recognition by Environment+Energy - GlobeNewswire

‘Small changes to aircraft routings’ could reduce environmental impact - AGN

4Air compliance services expands with 21 more environmental requirements - Aviation International News

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In this episode, we speak with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub.

Cassotis discusses Pittsburgh’s unique position and innovative approach to aviation sustainability. She highlights several key initiatives:

PIT has achieved a remarkable milestone as the world’s first fully off-grid major airport. Through a public-private partnership, the airport commissioned a microgrid in 2021 that powers its entire operation.
The airport is developing three SAF production pathways: alcohol-to-jet technology using ethanol, fugitive methane capture, and hydrothermal liquefaction converting organic waste to fuel.
Their hydrogen strategy includes testing hydrogen-powered ground equipment like snowplows, developing distributed production technology, and establishing themselves as a regional hydrogen hub supporting both airport and public transportation needs.
PIT leverages unique assets including its location above the Marcellus Shale natural gas deposit, existing fuel infrastructure with export capability, Carnegie Mellon University partnership, and the region’s energy innovation legacy.
Opening in 2025, their new LEED Gold terminal features rainwater capture systems, recycled construction materials, and a design optimised for origin and destination traffic, reflecting their evolution from a former US Airways hub.

Throughout the conversation, Cassotis emphasises the importance of taking incremental steps toward sustainability targets, sharing knowledge across the industry, and maintaining a balance between environmental protection and operational efficiency. Her vision extends beyond Pittsburgh, aiming to create a model that other airports can learn from and adapt.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Robb Etnyre, General Manager of Truckee Tahoe Airport. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Pittsburgh Airport aims to be a ‘trailblazer’ in SAF production - Aviation Week Network

PIT Named Among World’s Best in Environmental Sustainability - Blue Sky News

Making Pittsburgh a global leader in green aviation - Carnegie Mellon University

KeyState, CNX advancing transformational hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel hub at Pittsburgh International Airport - PR Newswire

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In this episode, we talk to Professor Robert Miller, Director of the Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, who shares why 2030 targets are crucial for the aviation industry’s transition towards net zero.

Miller is also the head of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), a collaboration between the Whittle Laboratory and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. The AIA recently released the “Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation” report which outlined 4 key Sustainable Aviation Goals, which, if achieved in the next 5 years, can help aviation reach net-zero by 2050.

Miller shares insights into the recently released report and highlights several key issues:

The misconception of smooth technology transitions, emphasising that historical precedents show abrupt changes with usually one dominant solution emerging, similar to VHS vs Betamax or cars vs horses.
Operation Blue Skies which seeks to address persistent contrails by setting up “Airspace-Scale Living Labs”.
The introduction of bold efficiency measures that could halve fuel burn by 2050, including reducing aircraft life from 30 to 15 years, flying 15% slower, and better matching aircraft to route distances.
The challenges of scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within global biomass limitations, with potential ticket price increases ranging from 30%-90% depending on production method.
The opportunity for hydrogen adoption in long-haul aviation, with potential for 10-30% fleet penetration by 2050, focusing initially on the 50 largest hub airports that consume half of global jet fuel.
The importance of launching moonshot technology demonstrations by 2030, including cryogenic hydrogen/methane fuels, synthetic biology, and hydrogen-electric propulsion.

Throughout the conversation, Miller emphasises the urgency of immediate action. He stresses that while only 10% of the global population has flown, expanding access to air travel must be balanced with aggressive decarbonisation efforts.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr Florian Allroggen, Executive Director, Aerospace Climate & Sustainability, and a Research Scientist in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who shares the science behind contrails, their climate impact, and practical solutions for mitigation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Aviation Impact Accelerator

The Whittle Laboratory

Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation - Aviation Impact Accelerator

Cambridge report sets four goals to be implemented by 2030 for global aviation to reach Net Zero - GreenAir News

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In this episode, we talk to Anna Stukas, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at 1PointFive, who shares insights into how direct air capture (DAC) technology works and its crucial role in aviation’s journey to net zero.

Stukas, who has been working in carbon capture since 2015, discusses her role in commercialising DAC technology and developing strategic partnerships to scale this critical climate solution.

Stukas discusses:

The fundamental role of DAC in climate action, explaining how it captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere through an engineered system that mimics natural processes but operates more efficiently and with a smaller land footprint than trees.
The scalability of DAC technology, exemplified by the STRATOS facility in Texas which, once completed, will capture up to 500,000 tons of CO2 annually.
The critical importance of industry partnerships, including Airbus’s pre-purchase of 400,000 tons of carbon removal and subsequent agreements with airlines like easyJet, Air Canada, and Lufthansa; as well as Microsoft’s landmark 500,000 metric tons purchase agreement.
The secure storage of captured CO2 deep underground, where it mineralises into calcium carbonate over geological timescales.
The integration with renewable energy infrastructure, with facilities like STRATOS being powered by adjacent solar installations, creating additional opportunities for clean energy development.
The complementary relationship between DAC and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with DAC addressing residual emissions while potentially serving as a future feedstock for SAF production.

Throughout the conversation, Stukas emphasises that while DAC is not a “get-out-of-jail-free card”, it represents an essential tool in aviation’s decarbonisation toolkit.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

1PointFiveEctor County DAC - STRATOS - 1PointFiveOccidental’s 1PointFive secures funding of up to $500 million from US DOE - Reuters1PointFive announces agreement to sell 500,000 metric tons of direct air capture carbon removal credits to Microsoft - GlobeNewswireANA and easyJet commit to buying carbon dioxide removal credits from 1PointFive’s Texas DAC facility - GreenAir News

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In this episode, we talk to Dr Florian Allroggen, Executive Director, Aerospace Climate & Sustainability, and a Research Scientist in MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who shares insights into the science of contrails and their impact on aviation’s climate footprint.

Allroggen discusses his role, focusing on understanding aviation’s environmental impact and developing solutions for a net-zero pathway. He highlights several key issues:

The formation of contrails as ice clouds when aircraft exhaust meets cold atmospheric conditions, and their dual role in both warming and cooling the atmosphere.
The comparable magnitude of contrail warming effects to CO2 emissions, with varying impacts depending on the timeframe considered – contrails having larger short-term effects while CO2’s impact accumulates over centuries.
The potential for contrail avoidance through flight path adjustments, particularly by changing aircraft altitude rather than horizontal routing, due to the “pancake-like” nature of contrail-forming regions.
The development of real-time contrail detection technology using NASA satellite imagery and machine learning, currently being tested with Delta Air Lines.
The challenges of implementing contrail avoidance strategies, including the need for air traffic control coordination and the balance between fuel efficiency and contrail reduction.
The need for a holistic approach to aviation sustainability, addressing both CO2 and non-CO2 impacts while maintaining safety.

Throughout the conversation, Allroggen advocates for practical experimentation and implementation of contrail mitigation strategies, while acknowledging the uncertainties and challenges involved. He emphasises the importance of making robust decisions despite uncertainties, drawing parallels with everyday decision-making under uncertain conditions.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Maxime Meijers and Nicolas Meijers, co-founders of Estuaire. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Impacts of multi-layer overlap on contrail radiative forcing - DOAJ

Climate - MIT LAE

Delta to work with MIT to study impact of airplane contrails on climate - CEHS

How rerouting planes to produce fewer contrails could help cool the planet - MIT Technology Review

How Estuaire’s data platform can help airlines and airports make better sustainability decisions - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Karine Guenan, Vice President of ZEROe ecosystem at Airbus, who shares insights into Airbus’s ambitious plans to bring hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to market by 2035 and the unprecedented ecosystem development required to make this vision a reality.
Guenan discusses:

The technical challenges of developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, including the need for cryogenic storage at -253° C and specially designed insulated tanks, contrasting with traditional jet fuel storage in aircraft wings.
Airbus’s exploration of two potential technological platforms - fuel cell propulsion and direct hydrogen combustion - aimed at serving the 100-200 seat market with ranges of 1,000-2,000 nautical miles.
The extensive ecosystem partnerships being built worldwide, including collaborations with airports (like Gatwick), energy suppliers (like Air Products), airlines (like easyJet), and lessors (like Avalon) to create the infrastructure needed for hydrogen-powered aviation.
The advantages of hydrogen as a zero-emission fuel source when produced from renewable energy, including its potential to reduce both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions.
The safety considerations around hydrogen aviation, emphasising that hydrogen is non-toxic and actually dissipates more quickly than conventional fuels in case of leakage.

Throughout the conversation, Guenan emphasises that while the 2035 target for commercial entry into service is ambitious, it’s achievable through unprecedented collaboration across the aviation industry and beyond. She notes that while hydrogen aircraft will have a marginal impact by 2050, they represent a crucial long-term solution for aviation’s decarbonisation challenge.

Looking to the future, Guenan advocates for a multi-pronged approach to aviation sustainability, combining immediate solutions like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with longer-term transformative technologies like hydrogen-powered aircraft.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ZEROe - AirbusFirst ZEROe engine fuel cell successfully powers on - AGNAirbus partners with Avolon to explore future of hydrogen aviation - Fuel Cells WorksAirbus to begin hydrogen fuel feasibility studies with North American airports - Flight Global

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In this episode, we talk to Yann Cabaret, CEO of SITA FOR AIRCRAFT, the aircraft business arm of SITA Group. Cabaret shares how SITA’s technology can help airlines meet their sustainability goals through better operational efficiency and compliance management. He also shares insights into SITA’s digital platforms and solutions aimed at reducing aviation’s environmental impact.

Cabaret discusses:

SITA EcoMission, a new platform that helps airlines manage environmental compliance while optimising costs, bringing together different departments – from flight operations to finance – for better collaboration.
How SITA OptiFlight is helping airlines achieve up to 5% fuel savings during climb-out phase by analysing aircraft-specific data and providing recommendations to pilots.
The future challenges of balancing multiple environmental factors, such as choosing between CO2 emissions and contrail avoidance, and how technology can help make these complex decisions manageable.
The vital role of operational efficiency as one of the few immediate levers airlines can pull today to become more sustainable, rather than waiting for future technologies like hydrogen or electric aircraft.

Throughout the conversation, Cabaret emphasises that while compliance and reporting are important, SITA’s ultimate goal is to help airlines reduce their environmental impact through better data and decision-making tools. He notes that SITA’s solutions can help reduce compliance costs by 3% while reducing staff requirements by 30%.

Looking to the future, Cabaret expresses optimism about the future of aviation, citing developments in operational efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), new engine technologies, and especially the influx of young talent who believe in making aviation more sustainable.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sian Andrews, SESAR Environmental Lead at NATS. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content visit green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:SITA FOR AIRCRAFTSITA Eco Mission - SITANow more than ever fuel efficiency crucial to ops - Aerospace Tech ReviewBringing data science into the cockpit to reduce fuel burn and carbon emission - Aviation Week NetworkWhy flight paths matter more than you think for climate change - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Sian Andrews, SESAR Environmental Lead at NATS, UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services. She shares insights into how air traffic management can significantly reduce aviation’s environmental impact through innovative solutions and research projects.

Andrews discusses:

NATS’ role in making aviation sustainable through improved air traffic management, including their targets to reach net zero emissions by 2035.
The significant but often overlooked impact of contrails on climate change, explaining they can have warming effects comparable to CO2 emissions, particularly during nighttime operations.
The CICONIA project, led by Airbus and involving NATS, which aims to develop operational solutions for contrail avoidance while balancing fuel efficiency and air traffic management constraints.
The concept of “green route charging”, which aims to eliminate pricing incentives that can lead airlines to fly longer, less fuel-efficient routes to avoid high-cost airspace.
The Digital European Sky initiative, which combines various SESAR solutions to create a more efficient and environmentally conscious air traffic management system for the future.

Throughout the conversation, Andrews emphasises that while safety remains the absolute priority in air traffic control, environmental considerations have become increasingly important, with NATS being one of the few air navigation service providers regulated on environmental performance through their 3DI (three-dimensional insight) metric.

Looking to the future, Andrews advocates for a balanced approach that considers both operational efficiency and environmental impact to shape the future of aviation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Maxime Meijers and Nicolas Meijers, co-founders of Estuaire, who share how their data platform can help airlines and airports make better sustainability decisions. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

NATS

NATS and SESAR – working together to deliver a Single European Sky

Leading the Way in Contrail Avoidance - NATS

How Estuaire’s data platform can help airlines and airports make better sustainability decisions

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In this episode, we talk to Bertrand Piccard, renowned Swiss explorer, psychiatrist and clean technology pioneer. He shares insights into his ambitious Climate Impulse project that aims to set a historic precedent by flying a hydrogen aircraft around the world non-stop in 9 days.

Piccard achieved global recognition for completing the first non-stop balloon flight around the world and for co-piloting Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the globe. As the founder and chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, Piccard continues to advocate for environmental solutions and push the boundaries of sustainable technology.

Piccard discusses:

The Climate Impulse project, aiming to fly around the world non-stop using liquid hydrogen, showcasing the potential of zero-emission aviation.
The technical aspects of the hydrogen-powered aircraft, including the challenges of storing liquid hydrogen at extremely low temperatures and the efficiency of fuel cells.
His vision for the future of sustainable aviation, emphasising the need for a shift towards more efficient technologies and practices beyond just hydrogen power.
His perspective on the current state of aviation, including his stance on ticket pricing and the need for a more sustainable approach to air travel.
The lessons learned from his previous projects, including Solar Impulse, and how these experiences inform his current endeavours.

Throughout the conversation, Piccard emphasises the importance of pushing boundaries in technology and human capability. Looking to the future, he expresses optimism about the potential of hydrogen in aviation, while acknowledging the challenges of implementation and the need for a holistic approach to sustainability in the industry.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global, who shares how the developer is spearheading a new model of eco-tourism on the west coast of Saudia Arabia. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Climate Impulse

Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard announces nonstop, round-the-world hydrogen flight - GreenAir News

This could be the first hydrogen-powered aircraft to fly non-stop around the globe - CNBC

Solar Impulse Foundation

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In this episode, we talk to Lee Beck, Senior Director for Europe and the Middle East, and Thomas Walker, Transportation Technology Manager at Clean Air Task Force (CATF), who share insights into innovative solutions for decarbonising the aviation industry.

Beck and Walker discuss CATF's role as a global climate organisation focused on overlooked solutions for decarbonisation and provide a forward-looking perspective on the future of sustainable aviation. They highlight several key issues:

The potential of synthetic fuels to make up over 50% of aviation fuel by 2050, and the policy measures necessary to achieve this ambitious goal.
The limitations of biofuels in meeting long-term aviation demand, and the need to explore alternative fuel sources.
The promise and challenges of hydrogen-powered aircraft, particularly for regional flights, and the significant infrastructure changes required.
The potential of ammonia as an aviation fuel, its advantages over hydrogen, and the hurdles to its adoption.
The current limitations of electric aircraft due to battery energy density constraints, and their potential niche applications.
The importance of carbon capture and storage in producing synthetic fuels and decarbonising the aviation industry.
The need for an options-based approach to decarbonisation, maintaining multiple technological pathways to address the complex challenge of aviation emissions.

Throughout the conversation, Beck and Walker advocate for a diverse portfolio of solutions and strong international collaboration to address aviation's environmental impact, while expressing cautious optimism about the sector's ability to achieve significant emissions reductions in the coming decades.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI, who shares the RMI’s multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

About Us – Clean Air Task Force

Decarbonizing Aviation: Enabling Technologies for a Net-Zero Future - CATF

Decarbonizing Aviation: Challenges and Opportunities for Emerging Fuels - CATF

Could ammonia have a role in decarbonising aviation? - AEF

Why RMI’s multi-pronged approach to decarbonising aviation includes SAF & contrails - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), who shares insights into the airline’s ambitious sustainability initiatives and how they’re shaped by the unique environmental consciousness of Scandinavia.

SAS, a longstanding Scandinavian carrier, faces distinct challenges and opportunities in its sustainability journey due to the region’s deep-rooted environmental awareness and geographical characteristics. Van der Werff discusses:

The profound impact of Scandinavian environmental consciousness on SAS’s sustainability strategy, which goes beyond compliance to integrate sustainability into all aspects of operations.
The critical role of aviation in Scandinavia, serving as an essential connector for the region’s dispersed population across large, elongated countries.
SAS’s three-pillar approach to achieve sustainable aviation: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), electric aviation, and hydrogen technology.
The airline’s Conscious Traveler program, which educates and incentivises passengers to make sustainable choices, including the option to purchase SAF.
The airline’s bold move into electric aviation, including a partnership with Heart Aerospace and the sale of tickets for a fully electric flight scheduled for 2028.

Throughout the conversation, van der Werff emphasises the delicate balance SAS must strike between maintaining essential air connectivity and leading in sustainability efforts. Looking to the future, he expresses optimism about technological advancements in electric and hydrogen aviation, while acknowledging the challenges of high costs and the need for industry-wide collaboration to scale up sustainable solutions.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anders Forslund, CEO of Heart Aerospace. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

EuroBonus conscious traveler - SAS

Scandinavian Airline SAS taking bookings for first electric flight on ES-30 aircraft in 2028 - Aviation International News

Restructured SAS formally joins SkyTeam after withdrawal from Star Alliance - Flight GlobalFirst swedish airport joins SAS’ corporate sustainability program - Simple Flying

SAS successfully emerges from restructuring, poised for a new era as Scandinavia’s leading airline - Aviation24.be

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In this episode, we talk to Sarah Ellerby, CEO of Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a UK-based cleantech company that has created a patented technology called the REFNOVA®, to enable SAF production from agricultural and forestry waste.

Ellerby discusses:

NPT’s REFNOVA® technology, which processes non-food derived feedstocks such as sugarcane bagasse and wheat straw into SAF precursors.
The dual-product output of the REFNOVA® process: sustainable sugars for SAF production and biochar for soil enhancement and carbon sequestration.
Project Speedbird, a collaboration between Nova Pangaea Technologies, British Airways, and LanzaJet, which has secured £9 million in UK government funding.
The challenges of scaling SAF production, including the need for significant investment and the importance of a blended finance approach involving both public and private sectors.

Throughout the conversation, Ellerby emphasises the critical role of strategic partnerships and government support in advancing SAF production. She also shares NPT’s efforts to de-risk their technology and business model to attract larger investments needed for commercial-scale production.

Looking to the future, Ellerby outlines NPT’s goals for scaling up production to meet the UK’s SAF mandates, while acknowledging the challenges in funding and executing large-scale projects.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven ATJ technology that converts ethanol into SAF and renewable diesel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Our biomass refinement process - Nova Pangaea Technologies

Project Speedbird wins £9m UK funding for SAF production - Biofuels International Magazine

New investment in Nova Pangaea Technologies added to IAG’s $865 million SAF commitment - GreenAir News

LanzaJet plans to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 - SimpliFlying

For September 2024, we’re featuring Estuaire as our exclusive Sponsor. Estuaire is an aviation and climate data platform that helps aviation brands make smarter decisions, especially when it comes to addressing non-CO2 impacts. Discover how they can support your sustainability goals

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In this episode, we talk to Freshta Farzam, founder and CEO of LYTE Aviation, who shares the company’s innovative approach to developing a 40-seater eVTOL aircraft for regional travel and cargo transport.

Farzam discusses:

The inspiration behind LYTE Aviation’s focus on larger capacity eVTOLs, challenging the industry trend of smaller air taxis.
The company’s diverse eVTOL portfolio, which includes the 40-seat SkyBus, the SkyTruck for cargo, and a 19-seat version for business aviation.
LYTE Aviation’s target markets, including supplementing ferry routes and creating new regional air connections.
Why LYTE uses hybrid propulsion systems, combining turboprop engines with electric motors powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The infrastructure requirements and partnerships necessary for high-capacity eVTOL operations, and how LYTE’s eVTOLs can transform global transportation in the next 10-15 years.

Farzam emphasises the potential of larger eVTOLs to disrupt regional transportation, and contribute to the aviation industry’s sustainability journey. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in developing new air routes and collaborating with existing transportation providers.

Looking to the future, Farzam envisions LYTE Aviation’s aircraft becoming a new norm in regional travel, potentially running on 100% hydrogen fuel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People at Joby Aviation, who shares how Joby has become one of the leading players in the eVTOL space. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

LYTE Aviation

From retro inspiration to futuristic mobility: LYTE Aviation’s SkyBus - SimpliFlying

LYTE Aviation partners with Crisalion Mobility on last mile transport - Revolution.aero

LYTE Aviation sets sights on mass transit eVTOLs - Aviation Week Network

Joby wants to alleviate the pain and frustration of getting from home to your airline seat - SimpliFlying

For September 2024, we’re featuring Estuaire as our exclusive Sponsor. Estuaire is an aviation and climate data platform that helps aviation brands make smarter decisions, especially when it comes to addressing non-CO2 impacts. Discover how they can support your sustainability goals

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In this episode, we talk to Maxime Meijers and Nicolas Meijers, co-founders of Estuaire, who share insights into their innovative data platform that provides comprehensive climate impact assessments for the aviation industry.

Maxime and Nicolas share:

The development of Estuaire’s data platform, which fuses various data sources to provide granular and exhaustive climate impact modelling for individual flights.
The significant impact of non-CO2 emissions, particularly contrails, which can represent an additional 30% climate impact on top of CO2 emissions.
The importance of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in reducing both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions, and Estuaire’s approach to optimising SAF allocation for maximum climate benefit.
The surprising finding that only 2% of flights are responsible for 80% of aviation’s contrail warming effect, and how Estuaire’s technology helps identify these high-impact flights.
The potential for airlines to achieve significant climate savings through small changes in flight operations, such as slight altitude adjustments to avoid contrail-prone areas.

Throughout the conversation, Maxime and Nicolas emphasise the unique transparency of the aviation sector and how Estuaire leverages this data to drive actionable insights for airlines, airports, and other stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem. Looking to the future, they discuss their ambitious goal of having 10 major airlines successfully implement contrail mitigation programs within the next year, showcasing the potential for rapid progress in sustainable aviation practices.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shares insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance and its potential impact on aviation sustainability. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Estuaire

Contrail Index - Estuaire

ESTUAIRE raises €2.2M in seed round to reduce the climate impact of aviation - Safran

How FLIGHTKEYS promises major climate gains at a minimal cost - SimpliFlying

For September 2024, we’re featuring Estuaire as our exclusive Sponsor. Estuaire is an aviation and climate data platform that helps aviation brands make smarter decisions, especially when it comes to addressing non-CO2 impacts. Discover how they can support your sustainability goals

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In this episode, we talk to Delphine Millot, Senior Vice President for Advocacy & Sustainability at Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), who shares insights into GBTA’s initiatives to promote sustainability in business travel and the challenges faced by the industry.

Millot also serves as the Managing Director of the GBTA Foundation, which serves as the charitable arm of GBTA, focusing on workforce development, women empowerment, and addressing climate challenges in the business travel sector.

Millot discusses:

The role of GBTA in developing global sustainable procurement criteria for business travel, covering various sectors including aviation, hotels, and ground transportation.
The significant impact of business travel on corporate emissions, with some companies seeing up to 80% of their scope 3 emissions coming from business travel.
The importance of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in decarbonising aviation and GBTA’s efforts to promote corporate investment in SAF certificates.
Regional differences in sustainability efforts, with Europe leading the way due to cultural awareness, infrastructure, and regulatory pressures.
The collaboration between travel managers and sustainability teams within companies to drive meaningful change in business travel practices.

Throughout the conversation, Millot emphasises the need for a balanced approach to sustainability in business travel, acknowledging its importance while recognising the essential role of travel in global business. Looking to the future, she discusses GBTA’s upcoming acceleration challenge for the global business travel industry, which aims to track and encourage progress in sustainable travel practices.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nora Lovell Marchant, Vice President of Global Sustainability at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT). She discusses various initiatives such as a blockchain-powered SAF platform, an independently verified carbon offsetting programme and more. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Global Business Travel Association

Sustainability - GBTA

Sustainability Acceleration Challenge - GBTA

How Amex GBT is building platforms for SAF and Carbon Offsets - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Tim Boeltken, Founder and Managing Director at INERATEC, who shares insights into the innovative world of e-fuels and their potential to transform the aviation industry and beyond.

INERATEC is at the forefront of e-fuel production, developing modular technology that converts green hydrogen and carbon dioxide into carbon-neutral liquid fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Boeltken discusses:

The basics of e-fuel production, describing it as “liquefied electricity” and explaining the process of combining green hydrogen and CO2 to create various fuel fractions.
Strategies to overcome the challenges of high production costs and input scarcity, including modular production units and strategic site selection.
The construction of INERATEC’s Pioneer Plant in Frankfurt, Germany, which will produce 2,500 tonnes of e-fuel annually and marks the company’s transition from technology provider to fuel producer.
The current state of e-fuel adoption across various industries, with aviation lagging behind maritime and road transportation despite its long-term potential.
The importance of strategic partnerships in scaling e-fuel production, including collaborations with companies like Safran, Engie, and Synhelion.

Throughout the conversation, Boeltken emphasises the transformative potential of e-fuels in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors and the need for continued innovation and collaboration. Looking to the future, he expresses optimism about the scalability of e-fuel production and its role in achieving global sustainability goals, particularly in the aviation industry.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Amy Hebert, Chair of the Board and CEO at Arcadia eFuels. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainable e-Fuels Startup INERATEC Raises $129 Million - ESG Today

INERATEC and COPEC enter strategic partnership to spearhead e-Fuel availability in Chile - BNamericas

Safran and Engie New Ventures invest in Ineratec, a German startup specializing in carbon-neutral synthetic fuels - Safran

INERATEC and Clariant join forces for a cleaner future - Hydrocarbon Engineering

INERATEC and Zenith plan new e-fuels plant in port of Amsterdam - Offshore Energy

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In this episode, we talk to Billie Moore, Chief Executive at NZ Airports Association, who shares insights into New Zealand’s distinctive approach to sustainable aviation and the challenges of operating in an isolated island nation.

In essence, the NZ Airports Association serves as a central hub for coordination, advocacy, and knowledge sharing among New Zealand’s airports, with a particular focus on navigating the challenges of sustainability and decarbonisation in the aviation sector.

Moore discusses:

The critical role of aviation in New Zealand, serving as an essential connection to the world and within the country, reshaping its geography and allowing New Zealanders to “live global lives”.
New Zealand’s roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, including exploration of electric aircraft, green hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The collaborative efforts between airports, airlines, and the government, exemplified by Air New Zealand’s Flight NZ0 project and the involvement of various airports in testing new technologies.
The potential of electric aircraft for domestic routes, with 60% of Air New Zealand’s domestic flights being turboprops flying less than 350 kilometres.
The challenges and opportunities in SAF adoption, including New Zealand’s distance from major SAF markets and potential partnerships with Australia.

Looking to the future, Moore expresses hope for continued international collaboration and information sharing, which will be crucial for small countries like New Zealand in addressing global aviation sustainability challenges.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai International Airports. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

NZ Airports Association

Air New Zealand’s Flight NZ0, a decade-long journey towards carbon neutrality – Inside Tourism

Hydrogen Consortium launched to promote green air travel in New Zealand - Airport Technology

Air New Zealand receives 500,000-litre delivery of SAF - Biodiesel Magazine

Air New Zealand is first major airline to scrap 2030 emissions target - The Guardian

How do you decarbonise a major airport? - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager at Transport & Environment (T&E), who shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in sustainable aviation.

Finch discusses T&E's role as Europe's leading advocate for clean transport and provides a critical perspective on current efforts to decarbonise the aviation industry. He highlights several key issues:

The lack of fuel duty on aviation fuel, which Finch argues artificially suppresses the cost of air travel and hinders the transition to more sustainable alternatives.
The UK's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate, its strengths and weaknesses, and the challenges in scaling up SAF production.
The potential of alternative technologies such as hydrogen and electric aircraft, and the need for stronger government support to accelerate their development and adoption.
The environmental impact of airport expansion and the need for more stringent conditions on growth.
The importance of addressing non-CO2 impacts of aviation, which Finch says account for two-thirds of the sector's overall climate impact.

Throughout the conversation, Finch advocates for more ambitious policies and actions to address aviation's environmental impact, while remaining cautiously optimistic about the potential for progress in the sector.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossil Free Netherlands (Fossielvrij NL), who explains why climate activists don’t buy the aviation industry’s commitment to addressing climate concerns. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Aviation - T&E

Roadmap to climate neutral aviation in Europe - T&E

UK to implement SAF mandate beginning in 2025 - Biomass Magazine

The current state of scientific understanding of the non-CO2 effects of aviation on climate - David Lee

The ICCT’s bitter but essential prescription for net zero emissions by 2050 - SimpliFlying

➡️ Can climate activists and the aviation industry ever get along? - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Alanna James, Managing Director Sustainability Initiatives at Hawaiian Airlines, who shares insights into the airline's distinctive approach to sustainability and the challenges of operating in an island environment.

Hawaiian Airlines, a 94-year-old company headquartered in Honolulu, faces unique sustainability challenges due to Hawaii's geographic isolation and vulnerability to climate change. James discusses:

The airline's deep connection to Hawaii and how it informs their approach to sustainability, which goes beyond environmental concerns to include economic and cultural sustainability.
The critical role of air travel in Hawaii, serving as an essential "highway system" for inter-island connectivity and supporting the state's tourism-based economy.
Hawaiian Airlines' roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, including fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, next-generation aircraft, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The airline's ambitious goal to use 10% SAF by 2030 and the strategies they're employing to achieve this, including partnerships with SAF suppliers and efforts to develop local SAF production in Hawaii.
Exploration of innovative technologies like electric sea gliders for inter-island travel and the potential role of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the future.

Throughout the conversation, James emphasises the delicate balance Hawaiian Airlines must strike between maintaining essential air connectivity and preserving Hawaii's natural beauty and resources.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Diana Birkett Rakow, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Alaska Airlines, who shares how the airline is planning to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Environmental Stewardship - Hawaiian AirlinesHawaii Renewable Fuels CoalitionHawaiian Airlines invests in Regent seagliders - ch-aviationHawaiian Airlines Commits to New Milestones on Path to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions - Hawaiian AirlinesAlaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to Combine, Expanding Benefits and Choice for Travelers Throughout Hawai‘i and the West CoastAlaska Airlines’ multi-faceted approach to achieving net zero by 2040 - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban-Air Port**, who shares insights into the company's groundbreaking vertiport technology and vision for the future of urban air mobility (AAM).

Urban-Air Port is at the forefront of AAM infrastructure, with their main product Air-One being the world's first fully-operational and off-grid hub for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Sandhu discusses Urban-Air Port's mission to enable a new era of advanced air mobility through designing, developing, fabricating, and operating innovative airport infrastructure.

Delving into the economic and environmental impacts, Sandhu highlights the potential for increased productivity and reduced carbon emissions through urban air mobility. He discusses Urban-Air Port's partnerships with major players like Supernal and LG Electronics.

Sandhu also addresses the challenges and opportunities in vertiport development, including the need for public acceptance and regulatory approval. He shares his vision of urban airports becoming as ubiquitous as gas stations, facilitating a new era of urban transportation. Looking to the future, Sandhu discusses the potential for vertiports to integrate with existing transportation networks and their role in promoting sustainable and efficient urban mobility.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Daniel Wiegand, Co-Founder & Chief Engineer for Innovation and Future Programmes at Lilium, who shares Lilium’s vision to revolutionise regional air mobility by building the world’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet. Check it out here*.
Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’.* Click here to learn more*.
Feel free to reach out via email to* podcast@simpliflying.com*. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website* green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.**

Links & More:

Urban-Air PortUrban-Air Port joins forces with NACO, accelerating vertiport integration into airports globally. - Vertical MagLG Electronics and Urban-Air Port team up - Airports InternationalUrban-Air Port Founder Touts Benefits Of ‘Vertical Airfield’ - Aviation Week NetworkWorld-first electric Urban Air Port® secures UK government backing - HyundaiWorld’s first airport for flying cars and drones opens in UK - World Economic ForumHow the Lilium Jet will open up new frontiers for eVTOLs - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Ed Mason, Founder & CEO of Jet Zero Australia, who shares insights into the company’s ambitious projects to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at a commercial scale.

Jet Zero Australia is an Australian bioenergy company that aims to develop the country’s first Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) facility for SAF production, using surplus ethanol from agricultural and sugarcane byproducts. Mason discusses Jet Zero Australia’s two upcoming projects: Project Ulysses and Project Mandala, which aim to establish Australia as a major player in the SAF market. Project Ulysses will use LanzaJet’s ATJ technology, to convert bioethanol into SAF and renewable diesel.

Mason provides insights into the strategic choice of Townsville as the location for Project Ulysses, citing factors such as renewable energy availability, proximity to feedstock, and supportive local infrastructure. He also discusses the challenges and opportunities in SAF distribution and the role of the book and claim system in expanding the reach of SAF benefits. Mason also highlights the critical role of partnerships in the SAF industry, with Jet Zero Australia collaborating with major players like Qantas, Airbus, Idemitsu and the Queensland Government.

Delving into the economic impact of SAF production, Mason highlights the industry’s potential for job creation and emphasises the need for continued innovation and collaboration to achieve sustainable aviation goals.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven ATJ technology that converts ethanol into SAF and renewable diesel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Jet Zero Australia

Project Ulysses - Jet Zero Australia

LanzaJet and Jet Zero agree to develop Australia’s first ethanol-to-SAF plant - GreenAir News

Idemitsu, Qantas and Airbus back Australia biofuel refiner with $25.5 million - The Straits Times

LanzaJet plans to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shares insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance and its potential impact on aviation sustainability.

Condensation trails, also known as contrails, are long, thin clouds that often form behind an aircraft in cold and humid conditions when water vapour freezes around small dust and soot particles from the engine. Although they look harmless, contrails are made up of small ice crystals that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming.

Frías delves into the complexities of contrail formation and its impact on climate, highlighting that non-CO2 emissions from aviation may be as significant as CO2 emissions in terms of climate impact. She explains the challenges of implementing contrail avoidance strategies, including weather unpredictability, operational complexities, and the industry’s hesitance to participate in non-CO2 emissions monitoring.

Recently, FLIGHTKEYS was part of a study that simulated contrail avoidance for about 85,000 flights. The study, published in February 2024, analysed two weeks of American Airlines flights in June, and two weeks in January. Frías shares that the study demonstrated significant reductions in contrail energy forcing (up to 73%) with minimal increases in fuel consumption and overall costs (less than 0.11%!).

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Adam Durant, Founder & CEO of SATAVIA, who shares the groundbreaking work being done in the field of contrail reduction and its implications for the environment. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

FLIGHTKEYS

Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience

Airlines divide over new EU rules on monitoring and reporting of their non-CO2 emissions - GreenAir News

SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boeing, who shares the company’s multifaceted approach to decarbonising the aviation industry, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), innovative technologies, and the importance of regaining trust in the wake of its recent crisis.

Moran discusses Boeing’s Cascade model, an open-source dynamic data modelling tool developed in partnership with MIT, Cambridge, IATA, and NASA, which helps stakeholders make informed decisions about the relative impact of different decarbonisation strategies. He also delves into Boeing’s role in advancing SAF, from de-risking the technology through test flights and research to committing to delivering 100% SAF-compatible aircraft by 2030.

Further, Moran highlights Boeing’s investments in future technologies, such as the electric propulsion flight demonstrator (EPFD) project with NASA and GE Aerospace, and the X-66 demonstrator aircraft featuring a transonic truss-braced wing. He also discusses the company’s involvement in the eVTOL space through their wholly-owned subsidiary Wisk, and how the lessons learned from this venture can be applied to the larger Boeing ecosystem. Moran also acknowledges the challenges Boeing has faced in recent years and emphasises the interconnectedness of safety and sustainability. He views Boeing’s current situation as an opportunity for open, transparent dialogue about the company’s shortcomings and remedial actions.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sheila Remes, Boeing’s VP of Environmental Sustainability, who shares how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation towards its 2050 net zero goal. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.
Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:Sustainability - BoeingAt Boeing, it’s a battle to win back airlines’ trust - Times of IndiaBoeing makes its largest purchase of blended sustainable aviation fuel - BoeingElectric Skies: Boeing joins GE and NASA’s hybrid electric flight project - GE Aerospace NewsVirgin Atlantic jet lands after maiden transatlantic flight on low-carbon fuel - ReutersHow Boeing has been working on a net zero future for over a decade - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Ali Warrington, Senior Campaigner at Possible, a UK-based climate charity that enables people to take practical action on climate change.

Possible has been at the forefront of climate action and has been instrumental in lodging formal complaints against airlines like Virgin Atlantic and British Airways for their greenwashing claims. The charity, along with other climate groups has also taken the UK government to court over its Jet Zero strategy.

Warrington believes that the aviation industry’s current approach to sustainability is dramatically insufficient. She points out the limitations of the current decarbonisation solutions – including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen, and electric aircraft – and expresses scepticism about their scalability and effectiveness. She also expresses concern about the enormity of resources, both natural and monetary, that would be needed to make these solutions a reality. Ultimately, Warrington states, demand reduction is the only pragmatic way to cut aviation’s share of emissions.

Warrington also points out the inequality in air travel in the UK – just 15% of people take 70% of flights annually, with half the population not taking any flights at all. She supports the idea of a frequent flyer levy, to progressively tax individuals on the number of flights they take. She also emphasises the need for a systemic change in global travel infrastructure, and advocates for a shift towards train travel or other low-carbon transportation options, whenever possible.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossil Free Netherlands (Fossielvrij NL), who discusses the climate activists’ scepticism about the aviation industry’s commitment to addressing climate concerns. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Possible - Inspiring climate action

Our formal complaint against airline greenwash - Possible

Climate groups taking government to court over “dangerous” aviation strategy - Possible

Net zero aviation fuels: resource requirements and environmental impacts - Royal Society

Can climate activists and the aviation industry ever get along? - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Akshat Rathi, award-winning senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News. Rathi is the host of Bloomberg’s podcast Zero that explores the policies, tactics and clean technologies pushing for a zero emissions future. He is also the author of the book Climate Capitalism, which tracks the unlikely heroes driving the fight against climate change.

Rathi argues that for years the aviation industry has sheltered behind the label of being “hard to decarbonise”, which is not only a misconception, but has also stalled the industry’s progress towards net zero emissions. He advocates for correctly pricing flights to account for their true environmental cost, a move that could bring an end to “ridiculously” cheap flight tickets.

Rathi also discusses the potential of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in decarbonising aviation and the need to overcome cost barriers through policy support and corporate commitment. Further, he delves into the role of electric aviation in transforming short-haul travel and regional aviation.

In Rathi’s view, the aviation industry stands at a crossroads, and the choices made now will determine not just the future of flying, but our ability to meet global climate targets. As he puts it, “We have to start to think about those technologies, because we do need decarbonised solutions.”

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dan Rutherford, Senior Director of Research at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), who shares the latest developments, partnerships, and challenges in reducing aviation emissions and achieving net zero by 2050. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Zero - Bloomberg

The Airline Industry’s Biggest Climate Challenge: A Lack of Clean Fuel - Bloomberg

‘Magical thinking’: hopes for sustainable jet fuel not realistic, report finds - The Guardian

How to rethink tourism and aviation for a greener future - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Grace Vihenda, Senior Manager, Innovation and Sustainability at Kenya Airways, who shares the airline’s efforts to promote sustainable aviation in Africa, a continent with abundant resources for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production but limited infrastructure and investment.

In 2023, Kenya Airways became the first African airline to use SAF for an intercontinental long-haul flight. The flight was conducted as a part of SkyTeam’s Sustainable Flight Challenge, despite the challenges posed by the lack of a SAF policy framework in the country and the need to purchase the fuel from overseas at a significantly higher cost. The flight has been instrumental in helping chart the course for supportive policy action and the need to set up local SAF production. Vihenda discusses Kenya Airways’ plans to scale up local production, with testing and certification planned for 2024, and eventual commercialisation for broader use.

Vihenda also elaborates on Kenya Airways’ innovative sustainability initiatives, such as partnering with a startup to produce cleaner diesel from waste plastic, implementing 100% recycling of food waste during in-flight meal preparation, and developing upcycled products from aircraft parts. She also emphasises the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among airlines to advance sustainability goals.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways operates first flight from Africa using Eni’s aviation biofuel - ESG News

Kenya Airways wins top prize in two categories in the ‘Sustainable Flight Challenge’ - Airspace Africa

Why SkyTeam believes the world needs “conscious travel” - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology that converts ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel.

Samartzis discusses LanzaJet’s ambitious target of producing 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030. Elaborating on LanzaJet’s highly efficient and capital-light ATJ technology, he explains how it can produce up to 90% of fuels as SAF and the remaining 10% as renewable diesel. The process is also adaptable to various feedstocks, including waste materials, allowing LanzaJet to leverage local, sustainable inputs, and cater to the needs and resources of different countries.

Samartzis emphasises the importance of collaborations with airline investors and partners like British Airways and Southwest Airlines in driving the adoption of SAF. He also discusses the environmental benefits of LanzaJet’s technology and SAF, which include the elimination of sulphur, reduction in particulate matter, and potentially lower contrail formation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with World Energy’s President & CEO Gene Gebolys who delves into the intricacies and future of SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainable Fuels - LanzaJet

Cleaner skies ahead? A glimmer of hope for airline industry’s clean fuel challenge - The Economic Times

LanzaJet unveils world’s first ethanol-to-sustainable jet fuel plant in Georgia - Bloomberg

British Airways, Nova Pangaea, LanzaJet project wins UK funding - Biomass Magazine

How World Energy is shaping the future of sustainable aviation fuel - SimpliFlying

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In our first-ever bilingual episode, we talk to Preeti Jain, Head of Net Zero Transition Program at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Jain provides an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in scaling up sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help aviation achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

The interview is presented in two parts: English followed by Hindi.

Jain discusses the current SAF landscape, highlighting the stark mismatch between demand and supply. Emphasising the need for greater SAF production, she estimates that a 1000-fold increase is required by 2050, amounting to roughly 300 new SAF plants each year. This rapid scale-up, however, is hindered by several challenges: inconsistent policy support, high capital costs and under-developed feedstock supply chains.

IATA’s strategy for overcoming these challenges involves a multi-pronged approach focusing on feedstocks, technology development, policy support, and collaboration across stakeholders. Jain emphasises the need for policies that encourage SAF production and adoption, and commends the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard as good examples. She sees potential in leveraging existing refinery infrastructure for SAF production, and expects SAF’s cost to decline over time as more facilities are deployed and technologies mature.

Jain also discusses the potential for SAF to deliver benefits beyond emissions reductions, such as improved energy security and rural economic development, particularly in emerging economies with large agricultural sectors. She also emphasises the critical role of collaboration across the aviation industry, governments, and civil society to build a thriving SAF ecosystem.

Please Note: Globally, there exists an estimated 5 billion gallons of renewable diesel capacity. The unit was misstated in the episode as litres.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with IATA’s SVP Sustainability & Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Our Commitment to Fly Net Zero by 2050 - IATA

SAF Offtake Agreements - ICAO

SAF Deployment - IATA

Net Zero Roadmaps - IATA

Domestic air passenger traffic likely touched 15.4 crore in 2023-24: Report - The Economic Times

How IATA envisions merging economics and sustainability in aviation - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we welcome back Dan Rutherford, Senior Director of Research at the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), for his second appearance on the show. Rutherford shares his insights on the latest developments, partnerships, and challenges in reducing aviation emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Rutherford discusses ICCT's expanded collaborations with industry partners, governments, and non-governmental organisations to apply their research directly to various projects and initiatives aimed at reducing aviation emissions. He highlights their work with Google on the Travel Impact Model (TIM), which aims to provide consumers with accurate, precise, and transparent emissions estimates when booking flights.

The conversation delves into the challenges of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with Rutherford providing sobering projections and emphasises the critical role of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) in bridging the gap, given the long lifespan of aircraft and the slow development of alternative technologies like hydrogen.

The discussion also touches on the concept of a frequent flyer levy as a potential progressive taxation method to fund the transition to net-zero emissions. Rutherford emphasises the importance of consumer awareness and action in driving change within the aviation industry. The conversation concludes with Rutherford highlighting the role of multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships between organisations like ICCT and airlines, manufacturers, and other industry players in driving the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future for aviation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll enjoy revisiting one of our earliest episodes – also with Dan – who sets the stage for understanding the future of sustainable aviation and the trajectory airlines and governments need to follow to get to net-zero emissions. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

About - International Council on Clean Transportation

Vision 2050: A strategy to decarbonize the global transport sector by mid-century - ICCT

The ICCT and Google establish new partnership on lower carbon travel search - ICCT

Travel Impact Model API - Google for Developers

Aviation climate finance using a global frequent flying levy - ICCT

Dan Rutherford on net-zero roadmaps and transitioning to sustainable technologies - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Diana Birkett Rakow, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Alaska Airlines, who shares the airline’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.

To reach the 2040 goal, Alaska Airlines has developed a comprehensive five-part path. The plan includes focusing on operational efficiency, fleet modernisation, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new propulsion technologies, and the use of carbon credits as a last resort.

Rakow discusses the importance of employee and customer engagement in advancing the airline’s sustainability goals. She shares the airline’s unique bonus program that ties 10% of every employee’s annual bonus to achieving carbon intensity targets. Rakow also discusses the airline’s efforts to engage customers in sustainability initiatives by enabling the purchase of nature-based offsets and SAF credits, and offering loyalty rewards.

Rakow emphasises the significance of collaborations with companies like Microsoft and Twelve in developing and utilising SAF. She also delves into the airline’s investments in future technologies, such as their partnership with ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen-electric powertrains for regional aircraft, and the role of the airline’s venture investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures, in identifying and supporting innovations that accelerate the path to net zero emissions.

Please note: Alaska Airlines established its headquarters in Seattle in the early 1960s. The decade was misstated in the episode.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Delta Air Lines’ Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca, who shares the airline’s collaborative vision for sustainability. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ESG Environmental Social Governance - Alaska Airlines

Flying with purpose: Alaska sets new climate goals, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 - Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines, Twelve & Microsoft collaborate to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from captured CO2 - ESG Today

Alaska Airlines, ZeroAvia to develop world’s largest zero-emission aircraft - Flight Global

Delta’s sustainability push is powered by a surprising customer insight

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In this episode, we talk to Daniel Rosen Jacobson, co-founder, co-CEO and Chief Business Officer of Elysian Aircraft, a startup that is developing a clean-sheet 90-seater battery electric aircraft.

Jacobson discusses Elysian’s unique approach to electric aviation, which focuses on a larger aircraft capable of carrying passengers over distances of about 800 km – longer than most current electric aircraft concepts. By targeting the busy short-haul market with a plane that can operate at costs competitive with conventional jets, Elysian aims to make a significant impact on the sustainability of regional air travel.

Jacobson also delves into the technical aspects of Elysian’s E9x aircraft design, which features a large wing with integrated batteries, and folding wingtips for airport compatibility. He also touches upon the challenges of certifying such a novel aircraft and the importance of collaborating with regulators and industry partners.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Heart Aerospace’s CEO Anders Forslund, who discusses how regional electric air travel can transform the industry while addressing the key sustainability challenges. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Elysian Aircraft

Start-up Elysian reveals first 90 passenger battery-electric aircraft - Airport Technology

Elysian unveils advisory board drawn from across the ‘aviation ecosystem’ - Flight Global

Electric aircraft may have more potential than we thought - Bloomberg

Why Heart Aerospace’s electric aircraft is a gamechanger - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to three key members of Harbour Air, North America’s largest seaplane airline. Harbour Air’s CEO Bert Van Der Stege, Engineering and Quality Manager Erika Holtz, and Head of Digital and Customer Experience Suzanne Bremski discuss the airline’s vision for the future of electric aviation.

Harbour Air has a strong track record of prioritising sustainability, being the first airline to introduce carbon offsetting in 2007. The airline was also the first to operate an electric plane in 2019 with its e-plane initiative, and has committed to build the world’s first all-electric commercial fleet. Harbour Air’s unique operating conditions, including short flight times and low altitudes, make it well-suited for the transition to an all-electric airline.

The conversation also delves into Harbour Air’s shift from carbon offsetting to insetting, which involves taking actions or making investments within the airline’s operations, production or value chain for long-term, sustainable mitigation or avoidance of emissions. The interviewees also discuss the positive customer response to Harbour Air’s electric aviation initiatives, the current state of battery technology, and the importance of collaborations and partnerships in advancing sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Harbour Air’s former CEO, Greg McDougall, who discusses the airline’s strong resolve to be an early adopter of disruptive technologies. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Harbour Air

Moving past carbon neutral - Harbour Air

Carbon insetting vs offsetting - World Economic Forum

Harbour Air Delays “eBeaver” Service Entry - Airways

How Harbour Air is revolutionising aviation with their electric aircraft technology - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Finlay Asher, co-founder of Safe Landing, a global community of aviation workers who are working within the sector to reduce the climate impact of aviation.

Asher emphasises the need for a holistic approach to sustainable aviation, which goes beyond efficiency improvements and includes demand reduction measures. He touches upon the challenges of balancing growth and sustainability in the aviation industry, highlighting the need for government intervention and the enforcement of carbon budgets to ensure a managed transition.

The potential and limitations of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) are also discussed, with Asher calling for evidence-based analysis and prioritisation of decarbonisation efforts. He stresses the importance of equity and fairness in aviation decarbonisation, advocating for a progressive allocation of carbon-constrained growth and the need for developed nations to lead the way in emissions reductions.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossielvrij NL, who discusses the climate activists’ scepticism about the aviation industry’s commitment to addressing climate concerns. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

https://safe-landing.org/

https://green.simpliflying.com/p/dan-rutherford-icct

https://safe-landing.org/saf-position/

https://green.simpliflying.com/p/hiske-arts-campaigner-fossil-free-nl

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In this episode, we speak with SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam, COO Shubhodeep Pal and Head of Sustainability, Dirk Singer about the launch of SimpliFlying’s first annual Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report.

As the world reels from the catastrophic consequences of climate change, the question of what the aviation industry can do about sustainability is rife with divided opinions. Is net zero by 2050 realistic? Is it equitable for all? Do we have the money to make it happen? Will customers support it? Aviation’s pathways to net zero are also hotly contested.

As the industry navigates its complex transition towards a sustainable future, the Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report aims to offer hope, reassurance, answers and some helpful suggestions along the way.

Based on a survey of 20 leading carriers from around the world, including major players such as Air France-KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa Group, All Nippon Airways, and Southwest Airlines, the report seeks to assess the current state of sustainability efforts, identify best practices and challenges. Complemented with comprehensive and rich data from Cirium and Envest Global, SimpliFlying’s Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report aims to provide insights into how carriers can effectively integrate sustainability into their business strategies.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Links & More:

Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report 2024 - SimpliFlying

Sustainability in the Air - The Book - SimpliFlying

From Ground to Cloud: Will The Billions Invested In Sustainable Aviation Truly Decarbonise The Industry? - SimpliFlying

Understanding Sustainable Aviation in 40 Charts (Plus, Case Studies!) - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Eloa Guillotin, the Co-Founder & CEO at Beyond Aero. Founded with the vision of providing a sustainable alternative to traditional private jets, Beyond Aero aims to revolutionise the industry by focusing on the CS-23 certification category for a six-passenger aircraft.

Guillotin discusses Beyond Aero’s innovative approach to aircraft design, which involves a 100% electric powertrain powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This design choice allows for an extended range of up to 800 nautical miles, making it suitable for popular routes in Europe and the United States. She also highlights the company’s core focus on redesigning aircraft architecture around the hydrogen powertrain while leveraging existing subsystems and partnerships with suppliers.

Central to the conversation is the growing demand for sustainable private jet travel and the positive market response to Beyond Aero’s vision. Guillotin reveals that the company has secured over $600 million in letters of intent for their planned business aircraft from a diverse client base, including private jet operators, high-net-worth individuals, and public personalities.

Furthermore, Guillotin also addresses the challenges surrounding hydrogen availability and infrastructure, emphasising that Beyond Aero is part of a larger industry shift towards hydrogen-powered aviation. She discusses the company’s partnerships with over 50 airports worldwide, led by Aéroports de Paris (ADP), to develop hydrogen refueling facilities and implement these infrastructures.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anders Forslund, CEO of Heart Aerospace who shares how regional electric air travel can transform the aviation industry. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Beyond Aero

France’s Beyond Aero Flies Hydrogen-Electric Demonstrator - Aviation Week Network

Beyond Aero Takes on Private Jet Emissions with Hydrogen-Powered Vision - SimpliFlying

Why Heart Aerospace’s electric aircraft is a gamechanger - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Mark Edwards, Head of Sustainability at London Gatwick. As one of the busiest airports in Europe, Gatwick has set an ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, 20 years ahead of the UK’s national target.

Edwards discusses Gatwick’s multi-faceted approach to sustainability, which includes addressing Scope 1 and 2 emissions through the use of renewable electricity, transitioning away from fossil fuels through the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), and gradually converting their vehicle fleet to electric. He also touches upon the challenges of reducing Scope 3 emissions, which primarily come from airline operations and are outside the airport’s direct control.

Edwards elaborates on Gatwick’s role in supporting sustainable aviation initiatives. He highlights the airport’s efforts to increase the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the region, engage passengers about carbon offsetting and SAF, advocate for government support, and potentially incentivise airlines to use more SAF.

In addition, Edwards also shares Gatwick’s preparations to support the future use of hydrogen and electric-powered aircraft, emphasising the importance of collaboration with airlines and manufacturers to ensure the airport is “jet zero ready.”

Please note: This interview was recorded in January 2024. Since then London Gatwick Airport has swapped diesel for HVO. Moreover, the public hearing for the Northern Runway Project began in February 2024.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Robb Etnyre, General Manager of Truckee Tahoe Airport, who shares how the airport has become the first in the world to fully transition to SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

London Gatwick Airport

Sustainability - London Gatwick Airport

London Gatwick switches 300 diesel vehicles to hydrotreated vegetable oil - Passenger Terminal Today

Gatwick’s Plans For Second Runway Take Shape - Aviation Week Network

How Truckee Tahoe Airport is transitioning towards its 100% SAF goal - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Rachel Gardner-Poole, who chairs the Zero Emission Flight (ZEF) Delivery Group within the UK’s Jet Zero Council. Established in 2020, the Jet Zero Council is a collaborative effort between the government, industry, and academia to achieve net zero emissions in UK aviation by 2050.

Gardner-Poole discusses the UK Government’s multi-departmental involvement in the Jet Zero Council, highlighting the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in achieving net zero emissions. The conversation centers on the various strategies and technologies being explored to decarbonise UK aviation. Gardner-Poole emphasises the crucial role of SAF in the UK’s decarbonisation strategy, with a target of 10% SAF by 2030. She also discusses the potential of hydrogen and electric aircraft, particularly for short-haul flights and smaller aircraft, while acknowledging the longer timeline for their widespread adoption.

Gardner-Poole touches upon the challenges associated with developing the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen and electric aircraft, as well as the importance of international cooperation in making zero-emission flight viable on a global scale. She also addresses the Jet Zero Council’s focus on non-CO2 emissions and contrails, and the ongoing research in this area.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on the integration of sustainability and economics within the aviation sector. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ’Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Jet Zero Council - GOV.UK

Jet Zero Council announces two-year plan for UK aviation decarbonisation - Airport Technology

UK Jet Zero Council details plans to accelerate SAF production - Biodiesel Magazine

UK Proposes Revenue Scheme to Support Sustainable Fuel Industry - Aviation Week Network

Australia in Lock-step with UK on Net Zero - Australian Flying

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In this episode, we speak with Robb Etnyre, General Manager at Truckee Tahoe Airport (KTRK), a pioneering general aviation airport that has become the first in the world to fully transition to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Located near the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, Truckee Tahoe Airport serves a diverse range of private and business aviation customers.

Etnyre shares the story of KTRK’s decision to power 100% of their flights using SAF, driven by the impacts of climate change witnessed firsthand in the region, such as severe wildfires and smoke. He highlights the airport’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, particularly its scope 3 emissions from jet fuel sales, which amount to approximately 500,000 gallons annually.

Etnyre also discusses the role of stakeholder engagement and education in the successful adoption of SAF. He also shares the customer response to Truckee Tahoe Airport’s SAF transition, noting the general support from most operators who align with the airport’s sustainability goals.

Etnyre delves into the challenges of ensuring a reliable and cost-effective SAF supply chain for small airports, while also highlighting their potential in driving significant change in the industry by sending strong market signals for low-carbon fuels.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, about the sustainability initiatives at one of the largest airports in the world. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Truckee Tahoe Airport

Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Truckee Tahoe Airport

Truckee Tahoe Airport Goes All-in on Sustainable Aviation Fuel - Airport Improvement

Avfuel expands SAF reach with supply at Truckee Tahoe Airport District - Bioenergy International

How do you decarbonise a major airport? - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with Sebnem Erzan, Global Head of Travel Sustainability & Transport at Google. Erzan shares the tech giant’s vision for sustainable travel, which focuses on empowering users with accurate and consistent information to make environmentally conscious travel decisions.

Erzan highlights the importance of the Travel Impact Model, a transparent and non-commercial tool developed by Google to calculate carbon emissions for flights. The model, overseen by an independent advisory committee, is available to the entire industry, fostering collaboration and alignment in emissions measurement.

She also discusses Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance user experience by providing meaningful context to carbon emissions data, such as comparing emissions to the amount of CO2 absorbed by trees. She emphasises the need for consistent information across platforms to avoid confusion and drive behavioural change.

Erzan also underscores the significance of collaboration and partnerships within the industry. Google works closely with various stakeholders, including airlines, NGOs, and policymakers, to align methodologies and improve the accuracy of emissions calculations. Notably, Google’s collaboration with ICAO aims to establish global standards and enhance the accuracy of flight emissions calculations.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Nora Lovell Marchant, Vice President of Global Sustainability at Amex GBT, about the company’s net zero efforts such as a blockchain-powered Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) platform, an independently verified carbon offsetting programme and more... Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Travel Impact Model

ICAO and Google to collaborate on improving methodology for calculating flight carbon emissions - ICAO

Google hands over its tool for estimating flight emissions to an independent advisory group - The Verge

How emissions are estimated - Google Travel Help

Google Joins Amex GBT SAF Program - Business Travel News

How Amex GBT is building platforms for SAF and Carbon Offsets - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Billy Nolen, Chief Safety Officer at Archer Aviation, a leading electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft company. Nolen recently joined Archer after a distinguished career at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), bringing with him a wealth of experience in aviation safety and regulation.

Nolen provides an in-depth look at Archer’s progress in certifying their eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, for commercial passenger service. He outlines the rigorous FAA certification process, and expresses confidence in Archer’s timeline, which expects to enter service in 2025.

Central to the conversation is Archer’s approach to ensuring the safety and reliability of their eVTOL aircraft. Nolen emphasises the multiple redundancies built into Midnight’s design, and asserts that once certified, Midnight will be as safe as any commercial airliner flying today. He also explains Midnight’s design optimisation for urban air mobility (UAM) missions and the rapid charging capabilities that enable quick turnarounds between flights.

Nolen also discusses the importance of public acceptance and the role of education in normalising eVTOL travel. He shares Archer’s vision of making urban air mobility accessible and affordable, with prices eventually reaching levels comparable to Uber X.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also enjoy the conversation we had with Archer’s Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein, who shares how the startup aims to make air travel greener through incremental and innovative technologies. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Archer Aviation

Electric Air Taxis Have Landed Vertically - Archer Aviation

Archer Begins Building Electric Air Taxis for FAA Certification - FLYING Magazine

Archer Aviation and NASA to study AAM battery tech - Airport Technology

Archer Aviation aims to launch all-electric air taxi service in India in 2026 - TechCrunch

Why eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Jamila Yamani, Director of Climate & Energy at Salesforce, who shares fascinating insights into the company’s commitment to sustainability, and how the company is taking a unique approach to advancing sustainable aviation as a non-airline entity.

Yamani discusses why sustainability matters to Salesforce, emphasising that it’s not just about risk mitigation but also about leveraging their platform to accelerate the global transition to net zero. She highlights Salesforce’s role in sponsoring the Sustainable Aviation Challenge, launched by UpLink in partnership with the World Economic Forum and the First Movers Coalition, which aims to identify and elevate promising sustainable aviation technologies globally.

As part of the First Movers Coalition, Salesforce has committed to buying SAF certificates equal to 5% of their air travel emissions. Yamani shares the challenges of navigating SAF certificates and off-takes as an end buyer, and how Salesforce has made initial purchases with United and JetBlue to start figuring out the complexities.

To address the risks of greenwashing, Salesforce emphasises the importance of considering the full lifecycle impacts of SAF, especially fuels from biological resources. Yamani stresses the need for a diverse portfolio of SAF solutions and the critical role of sustainable feedstock sourcing.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI, who discusses the RMI’s multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ’Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Environmental Sustainability - Salesforce

Sustainable Aviation Challenge - UpLink

Salesforce and JetBlue build on partnership to accelerate their shared journey toward sustainable air travel - Salesforce

A guide to how Salesforce sustainability efforts support COP28 objectives - Salesforce

Why RMI’s multi-pronged approach to decarbonising aviation includes SAF & contrails

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In this episode, we talk to Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI. Founded in 1982 as Rocky Mountain Institute, RMI is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit that seeks to transform the global energy system to ensure a clean, zero-carbon future.

Chen discusses RMI's multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation, which includes stimulating demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and addressing aviation's non-CO2 emissions – specifically, the environmental impacts of contrails. He also touches upon RMI's broader mission concerning the decarbonisation of heavy industry and transportation sectors.

Central to the conversation is the pivotal role of SAF in reducing aviation's carbon footprint. Chen discusses how RMI, through initiatives like the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), is working to overcome the challenges posed by the current "green premium" associated with SAF. This involves mobilising corporate demand and leveraging technologies such as blockchain for the traceability of SAF certificates, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability in SAF transactions.

Furthermore, Chen highlights the significant investments required to scale SAF production and the necessity of collaborative efforts across the aviation value chain for sustainable growth. He reflects on his experiences at Heathrow Airport, emphasising the critical role airports play in SAF adoption and the need for industry-wide collaboration.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Elena Schmidt, Executive Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), about the journey of RSB in fostering sustainability, especially in the aviation and travel industries. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Decarbonizing Aviation - RMI

SABA announces collective purchase of SAF certificates - Biofuels International Magazine

Clean Energy 101: Book and Claim - RMI

Contrail Mitigation: A Milestone Year for Advancing Industry Understanding and Experience - RMI

Flight100: Virgin Atlantic and RMI test new ways to reduce aviation’s climate impact - Virgin

How the RSB is nudging aviation towards a bio-circular economy - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Sangita Sharma, Director of Delta Air Lines’ Sustainable Skies Lab, who shares how the lab is fostering innovation and accelerating a sustainable future for air travel.

The Sustainable Skies Lab aims to advance research, design and testing for transformative sustainable innovations, for both near-term and long-term environmental goals. The lab seeks to merge Delta’s extensive operational knowledge with cutting-edge innovations across the aviation industry, creating a collaborative environment for testing and scaling new technologies. An example of the lab’s efforts is ongoing testing of sustainable taxiing technologies, such as super tugs, that can potentially offer significant fuel savings, by allowing aircraft to taxi without using the main engines.

Sharma discusses Delta’s commitment to advancing sustainability beyond its own operations, aiming to drive broader industry progress. She highlights the pivotal role of employee engagement and knowledge exchange; Delta’s close collaboration with SkyTeam partners; and the lab’s disciplined framework for applied innovation in driving the industry towards net zero 2050 goals.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Delta Air Lines’ Chief Sustainability Officer, Amelia DeLuca who shares the airline’s collaborative vision for sustainability. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Delta to launch innovation lab to accelerate the more sustainable future of flight - Delta Air Lines

Delta’s sustainability push is powered by a surprising customer insight - SimpliFlying

Sustainability - Delta Air Lines

Delta Sustainability Chief discusses cutting airline’s footprint and shift away from offsets - WSJ

Delta recognized for innovation in Sustainable Flight Challenge - Aviation Source News

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In this episode, we talk to Nicholas Flanders, Co-Founder and CEO of carbon transformation company, Twelve, who highlights the pivotal role of clean technology in addressing environmental challenges, particularly in hard-to-decarbonise sectors like aviation.

The versatility of Twelve’s technology is underscored by their ability to transform CO2 into a wide range of products, from sunglasses and washing detergents to car parts. Twelve’s innovative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), called E-Jet®, made from CO2 and water, has up to 90% lower lifecycle emissions than conventional fuel. Flanders also shares E-jet’s journey from its initial testing with the US Air Force to securing commercial partnerships with Alaska Airlines, Microsoft and Shopify.

With a foundational vision of cost competitiveness, Twelve aims to revolutionise the industry and offer customers the lowest possible cost pathway to reduce emissions. Flanders also emphasises the strategic importance of green electricity and multi-year offtake agreements for scaling SAF production.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dave Kettner, President and General Counsel at Virent, who shares the company’s innovative contributions in the field of renewable fuels and chemicals. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

E-Jet fuel - Twelve

Twelve Launches First Commercial-Scale SAF Production Facility - Carbon Herald

Alaska Airlines looks to ‘carbon transformation’ company Twelve for SAF supply - Flight Global

Etihad Airways plans to use sustainable fuel made from CO2 - Sustainability Magazine

Alaska Airlines, Microsoft and Twelve partner to advance new form of sustainable aviation fuel - Alaska Airlines

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In this episode, we talk to Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), on the integration of sustainability and economics within the aviation sector, highlighting the pivotal role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and the challenges of balancing growth with environmental stewardship.

Thomsen emphasises the interconnectedness of economic considerations and environmental sustainability, advocating for a systemic approach that extends beyond aviation to include energy producers, policymakers, and financial institutions.

The conversation further delves into the nuances of SAF production, underscoring the importance of diversifying and scaling technological pathways for SAF. Addressing criticisms of the aviation industry’s sustainability efforts, Thomsen highlights the industry’s proactive initiatives, positioning aviation as an early mover towards decarbonisation.

She also suggests that airlines explore vertical integration and alternative revenue streams to enhance both sustainability and economic resilience, reflecting on the industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for diversified business models to withstand future challenges.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Haldane Dodd, Executive Director at Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), about how the non-profit is assisting the aviation industry in its net-zero by 2050 journey. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Our Commitment to Fly Net Zero by 2050 - IATA

Developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) - IATA

CORSIA explained

SAF Offtake Agreements - ICAO

IATA - Strengthened Global Framework for Accelerating Aviation’s Decarbonization

IATA - Net Zero Roadmaps

The non-profit working behind the scenes to get aviation to net zero by 2050 - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Senator Andy Billig, Senate Majority Leader at Washington State Senate, on how he has spearheaded efforts to integrate environmental stewardship with legislative action in Washington State.

Billig’s journey in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) began in 2012, leading to pivotal legislation like Senate Bill 5447, which incentivises SAF production to complement Washington’s aerospace and technological sectors. The bill, developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders and aimed at boosting local SAF production, has been well-received for its flexibility and environmental focus. Despite challenges in educating legislators and addressing misconceptions about SAF versus other green technologies, the bill passed with near-unanimous support.

Post-passage, significant strides have been made, including SkyNRG’s plant establishment and BP’s exploration of a SAF production facility, marking progress in Washington State’s SAF ecosystem. Billig addresses concerns about the bill’s scope and the need for a balanced, data-informed approach to SAF development, emphasising the role of technology-neutral legislation and the importance of market dynamics in resource allocation. He highlights the need for continued education, collaboration, and ensuring the sustainability of feedstocks, reflecting on the complexities of advancing SAF within the broader context of environmental and economic sustainability.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, Australia, who discusses various aspects of sustainable travel and its relationship with climate change. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Biography - Sen. Andy Billig

New $800M sustainable aviation fuel plant planned for Washington state - The Seattle Times

BP analyses SAF production at its Cherry Point refinery - The Daily Digest

Twelve announces plans to scale production of SAF in Washington State - Biofuels International Magazine

Billig bill to incentivize clean jet fuel, spur job creation clears Senate - Sen. Andy Billig

How to rethink tourism and aviation for a greener future - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Elena Schmidt, Executive Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).

RSB is a global, multi-stakeholder independent organisation that drives the development of a new world bio-economy through sustainability solutions, certification, and collaborative partnerships.

Schmidt acknowledges the difficulties in decarbonising aviation, given the reliance on fossil fuels and the current limitations of alternatives like hydrogen or electric planes. RSB views the ‘book and claim’ system for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as an effective solution.

In 2021, RSB launched a SAF book and claim pilot with Air bp to enable certified SAF claims from Microsoft and United Airlines. The RSB Book & Claim System, aims to develop a credible and effective book and claim mechanism to expand the outreach of SAF and accelerate decarbonisation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Haldane Dodd, Executive Director at Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), who shares how the non-profit is assisting the aviation’s net-zero journey. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials Association - RSB

RSB book and claim programme - RSB

Microsoft, United Airlines and SABA join RSB and Air bp pilot for first-ever SAF book and claim transaction - GreenAir News

Boeing and RSB expand SAF study to South East Asia - Airport Technology

The non-profit working behind the scenes to get aviation to net zero by 2050 - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Jonathon Counsell, Group Head of Sustainability at International Airlines Group (IAG).

IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, LEVEL, IAG Loyalty and IAG Cargo. The group plays a critical role in setting the sustainability strategy and targets for its subsidiary airlines, and collaborates with governments and investors to realise these goals.

Counsell emphasises the importance of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in decarbonising aviation and discusses IAG’s SAF strategy. For example, in 2021, IAG became the first European airline group to commit to a target of 10% SAF for all fuel needs by 2030.

Counsell also highlights the complexities involved in the transition towards SAF, the disparity in global SAF policies – especially between the US and the EU – and the critical role of investors in this transition. He also discusses the various generations of SAF, and the exploration of new technologies to achieve sustainability goals in the airline industry.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, who discusses the airline’s commitment to net zero, and the overarching BA Better World sustainability strategy. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

International Airlines Group (IAG)

Sustainability strategy - IAG

IAG looks to secure international support to power 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030 - GreenAir

British Airways’ route to sustainability with BA Better World - SimpliFlying

IAG and Microsoft sign major SAF deal - Airport Technology

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In this episode, we talk to Amy Hebert, Chair of the Board and CEO at Arcadia eFuels, who discusses the rapidly growing field of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a focus on e-fuels.

eFuels are produced with electricity from renewable sources, water and CO2 and are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Hebert discusses her entry into the field, driven by the untapped potential for carbon-neutral fuels despite existing technologies like Gas to Liquids and green hydrogen electrolysers. Arcadia, her company, aims for rapid market entry and large-scale e-fuel production, targeting significant reductions in CO2 emissions. She highlights challenges in securing long-term offtake agreements and the evolving understanding of e-fuels in the market.

Hebert also acknowledges the current resource intensity of e-fuels and the high costs of SAF production, emphasising the need for smaller-scale projects and technological advancements. She shares that Arcadia has not yet started producing SAF, with production expected to begin around late 2026 or early 2027. The conversation covers the importance of securing long-term commitments for green hydrogen, engaging with potential customers, and exploring innovative financing solutions. Amy's vision is to enable airlines to use 100% eSAF, facilitating responsible and cost-effective air travel.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Gene Gebolys, President and CEO at World Energy, the world’s first producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that has been in the business of renewable fuels for over 25 years. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Arcadia eFuels

eFuels: sustainable in two ways

Arcadia eFuels’ SAF plant to use Plug Power’s electrolyser - Hydrocarbon Engineering

Hitachi Energy selected as consulting partner for world’s first commercial eFuels facility

KGAL invests in Arcadia eFuels’ eSAF project in Denmark - Renewables Now

Arcadia eFuels selects Topsoe and Sasol G2L technology for the first commercial eFuels-for-aviation plant in Denmark - Green Car Congress

First commercial eFuels-for-aviation plant in Denmark on schedule for 2026 - Biofuels International Magazine

How World Energy is shaping the future of sustainable aviation fuel - SimpliFlying

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Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world's #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the past couple of weeks, we have brought to you some of the finest conversations from our archives with added context based on the latest updates from the companies featured.

Following our first holiday special with Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines and second with Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, we bring to you our third and final holiday special: a fascinating conversation with John Pagano, CEO of Red Sea Global.

Since our episode with Red Sea Global—recorded about a year ago—they’ve made a number of major announcements that are worth noting.

Funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Red Sea Global is spearheading a new model of eco-tourism on the west coast of Saudia Arabia with a self-imposed ecological ceiling. Their portfolio includes two regenerative tourism destinations – the Red Sea and Amaala.

Embracing a sustainable model, Red Sea Global has committed to 100% renewable energy, primarily solar, making it the world's largest renewable-powered tourism destination. To preserve the environment, the Red Sea Airport is designed to handle a limited number of passengers, aligning with the project's ecological ceiling. Pagano highlights the importance of transparency in their sustainability journey, publishing detailed reports and data to ensure accountability and avoid greenwashing.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dr Susanne Becken from Griffith University, Australia, who discusses various aspects of sustainable travel and its relationship with climate change. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Red Sea Global announces commitment to coral at Cop28 - BlooloopHow Red Sea Global’s ambitious eco-tourism model could save the planet - SimpliFlyingSaudia Marks Historic Flight to Saudi Arabia's New Red Sea International Airport - Business Traveler USARed Sea Global nursery brings life to the desert with 5m plants cultivated in just 3 years - Arab NewsRed Sea Global announces first partners for carbon-neutral, smart mobility network at The Red Sea - Red Sea GlobalHow to rethink tourism and aviation for a greener future - SimpliFlying

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Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world’s #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the next couple of weeks, we will bring to you some of the finest conversations from our archives and add context based on the latest updates from the companies featured.

Following up our first holiday special with Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines is our conversation with Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. Since our episode with Delta—recorded about six months ago—they’ve made a number of major announcements that are worth noting, not least of them being Amelia’s elevation to her new role as Chief Sustainability Officer.

While we cover these developments in a new introduction to the episode, here’s what you can expect from the episode itself: Amelia, leading Delta’s sustainability efforts, has made significant strides in integrating sustainability with customer service. Under her stewardship, Delta is emphasising industry collaboration to reach net zero emissions, focusing on reducing single-use plastics and optimising operations for fuel savings.

Further, their Sustainable Skies Lab spearheads innovation, partnering with companies like Joby Aviation for eVTOL air taxis. Launched in 2023, Sustainable Skies Lab aims to accelerate sustainable air travel innovation, featuring an Ideation Studio to showcase future solutions. Delta is also working to increase Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply, advocating for more production by large energy firms and government support. Additionally, they are collaborating with MIT to study airplane contrails’ environmental impact.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer is on a mission to use less fuel - Fast CompanyDelta among founders of new aviation fuel coalition - Business Travel NewsDelta in final tests to replace plastic cups with paper on flights - Minneapolis /St. Paul Business JournalDelta Air Lines, Xcel Energy, Greater MSP push for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) hub in Minnesota - Star TribuneDelta Air Lines helps establish 1st large-scale SAF hub in the US & other stories in aviation - SimpliFlyingJoby wants to alleviate the pain and frustration of getting from home to your airline seat - SimpliFlying

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Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world’s #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the next couple of weeks, we will bring to you some of the finest conversations from our archives and add context based on the latest updates from the companies featured.

First up is our episode with Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, an airline that continues to set new standards in terms of their sustainability commitments and efforts. Since our episode with them—incidentally one of our earliest—they’ve made a number of major announcements that are worth noting.

While we cover these developments in a new introduction to the episode, here’s what you can expect from the episode itself: Kirby highlights United’s commitment to net-zero emissions, focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), sustainable technology investments, and carbon sequestration over traditional carbon offsets. He points out the limitations of tree planting as a carbon offset method and advocates for direct carbon removal from the atmosphere.

United leads in SAF usage, despite its current high cost and scarcity, and is working on making it more viable through United’s Eco-Skies alliance and government support. Kirby also touches on United Ventures’ efforts in electrifying short-haul flights and a partnership with Boom for a SAF-powered supersonic airliner.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, who discusses the airline’s commitment to net zero, and the overarching BA Better World sustainability strategy. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

United’s sustainable flight fund grows to nearly US$200 million - Hydrocarbon Engineering

United Airlines inks deal to buy 1B gallons of SAF - PhocusWire

United Airlines Invests in Electric Power Systems to Accelerate Sustainable Aviation Initiatives - SME

Boeing, NASA, United Airlines To Test SAF Benefits with Air-to-Air Flights - Boeing

United, Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn announce integrated ticket agreement - Airport Technology

Airlines should prioritise storytelling, not statements, on sustainability - Flight Global

British Airways’ route to sustainability with BA Better World - SimpliFlying

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In this episode we talk to Bertrand Lestimé, ZEROe Market and Customers Leader at Airbus, who outlines the airframer’s multi-pronged strategy to reach net-zero.

Lestimé shares how Airbus is focusing on fleet renewal, improving operational efficiency and air traffic management, and investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and carbon removal technologies. A pivotal part of Airbus’ strategy is the ZEROe project, dedicated to developing hydrogen-powered aircraft, seen as a game-changer for the industry.

Lestimé also discusses the challenges associated with integrating hydrogen into aviation – aircraft redesign, setting up requisite infrastructure for production and transport of fuel, hydrogen storage, and the feasibility of transitioning from experimental to commercial hydrogen flight.

We will also learn about Airbus’ partnerships with industry stakeholders like easyJet, and initiatives like Airbus’ Blue Condor project, that are further accelerating the journey to a zero emissions flight.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sheila Remes, Boeing’s VP of Environmental Sustainability, who shares how the aircraft manufacturer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation towards its net zero goal. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ZEROe - Low carbon aviation - Airbus

Contrail-chasing Blue Condor makes Airbus’ first full hydrogen-powered flight - Airbus

How Boeing has been working on a net zero future for over a decade - SimpliFlying

Why Airbus is betting big on hydrogen combustion - SimpliFlying

easyJet and Airbus strike a deal: zero carbon flying with carbon removal credits - Carbon Credits

easyJet, Airbus and Rolls-Royce launch new ‘Hydrogen in Aviation’ lobby group to accelerate zero-carbon flight - Hydrogen Insight

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In this episode we talk to Helen Giles, Managing Director of Environmental Sustainability at Southwest Airlines, who shares how the low-cost carrier is integrating sustainability into its operations.

Giles discusses how Southwest is balancing growth with sustainability, the airline’s net zero roadmap and the crucial role of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in reducing the airline’s carbon emissions. She also shares the potential of hydrogen and alternative propulsion systems in aviation, acknowledging their long-term possibilities while also highlighting their current limitations for Southwest’s fleet. Instead, she emphasises the importance of introducing fuel-efficient aircraft, using electric ground support equipment, and maximising operational efficiencies.

Giles also outlines Southwest’s efforts in contrail reduction, participating in the Contrail Impact Task Force to develop predictive models and contrail avoidance procedures, illustrating the carrier’s multifaceted approach to achieving sustainability in aviation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s VP Corporate Development & Sustainability about the world’s first net zero transatlantic flight using 100% SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Southwest Airlines

Environmental Sustainability Initiatives - Southwest Airlines

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) - Southwest Airlines

Southwest Inks 20-Year Jet Fuel Deal in Quest to Go Green - Bloomberg

Southwest Airlines announces new tool to enable support of SAF - Biomass Magazine

Airlines Unite with Tech Sector and Academia to Tackle Climate Challenge of Aviation Contrails - RMI

Virgin Atlantic’s 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel gambit

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In this episode, we talk to Dave Kettner, President and General Counsel at Virent about the company’s innovative contributions to renewable energy and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future in aviation.

Kettner emphasises their breakthroughs in renewable fuels, particularly their BioForming process that converts plant carbohydrates into bioformate, a green alternative to petroleum products. This process is used to create sustainable gasoline, aviation fuel, and materials for various industries, marking a shift to plant-based resources.

Kettner also highlights Virent’s rapid conversion of plant sugars into fuels and chemicals, a faster alternative to natural oil formation. Despite varying global views on biofuels, he remains positive, citing agricultural advancements. A notable project is their collaboration with Virgin Atlantic on a 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight, showcasing their technology's practical use. Virent plans to globally license its technology, aiming to decrease aviation emissions and foster a more sustainable industry, aligning with their commitment to renewable energy development.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Amy Ruddock, VP Europe and Middle East at Carbon Engineering, who explains how Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology – that removes carbon dioxide directly out of the atmosphere – can help decarbonise aviation. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Virent and Johnson Matthey's SAF breakthrough powers Virgin Atlantic's historic 100% sustainable transatlantic flight - Hydrocarbon Processing

Lighting the SAFterburners: Virent, Air bp, Virgin, Gevo, Axens, ECARU, others accelerating on SAF - Biofuels Digest

Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream test 100% SAF blend in G650 twin-jet; HEFA and SAK - Green Car Congress

Madison company's plant-based biofuel powers engine of Boeing 777 jet - Madison

Virent developing environmentally friendly bottles for Coke

How Direct Air Capture technology could ensure long-term SAF supply - SimpliFlying

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In this episode we talk to Dr Susanne Becken, Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, Australia, who discusses various aspects of sustainable travel and its relationship with climate change.

With her roots in Germany, current engagement at Griffith University in Australia, and residing in New Zealand, Becken is a unique voice in sustainable tourism. Her global lifestyle has fostered a deep connection with airlines, fuelling her dedication to enhancing their sustainability.

Becken has widely published on the topics of sustainable tourism, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, tourist behavior, environmental policy, and risk management. She was a contributing author to the Fourth and the Fifth IPCC Assessment Reports. In the episode, she is particularly vocal about the tangible impacts of climate change, referencing the year’s unprecedented climate anomalies and highlighting the susceptibility of tourism destinations to environmental catastrophes.

The conversation also revolves around the challenges with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the complexities of transitioning to sustainable aviation. Becken also calls for the implementation of ecological ceilings in tourism to manage carrying capacity and reduce environmental impacts, advocating for a shift from volume-based to value-based tourism models.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Red Sea Global’s CEO John Pagano who shared how the giga-project developer is rethinking eco-tourism, enabling true climate-positive travel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Ecological ceiling - The Doughnut Economy

There’s a buzz about ‘sustainable’ fuels – but they cannot solve aviation’s colossal climate woes - The Conversation

Vanuatu Sustainable Tourism Strategy - Pacific Farmers

Can there be ultra long-haul flights in a net zero world? - CNA

How Red Sea Global’s ambitious eco-tourism model could save the planet - SimpliFlying

Implications of preferential access to land and clean energy for Sustainable Aviation Fuels - Becken et al. (2023)

Knowledge alone won’t “fix it”: building regenerative literacy - Becken and Coghlan (2022)

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In this episode we talk to Gene Gebolys, President and CEO at World Energy, the world’s first producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that has been in the business of renewable fuels for over 25 years. They produce sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha, with plans to create renewable propane and green hydrogen.

Gebolys delves into the intricacies and future of SAF in this conversation. Emphasising World Energy’s transition from a biofuels company to a leader in SAF, he highlights the critical role of hydrogen in SAF production and the need for innovation in hydrogen sourcing. Gebolys sheds light on their groundbreaking green hydrogen project in Newfoundland, Canada, and the importance of balancing first and second-generation biofuels.

We’ll also learn about California’s regulatory framework, which has been pivotal in the development of SAF, as well as the ‘book and claim’ methodology, a crucial strategy for extending SAF’s impact globally. The conversation underscores the importance of corporate partnerships, with companies like Microsoft and DHL playing key roles in SAF adoption. Gebolys envisions a future where SAF usage is standard, driven by customer demand and a collaborative effort from all industry stakeholders.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Company which is transforming CO2 into clean alcohols and fuel. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

World Energy

Clean Energy 101: Book and Claim - RMI

Microsoft and World Energy sign landmark 10-year book-and claim SAF deal – GreenAir News

Etihad Airways and World Energy partner to demonstrate the future of net-zero aviation, making book & claim real - Etihad

World Energy GH2 secures land approval for its green hydrogen project - Offshore Energy

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In this episode, we talk to Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, who discusses the airline’s commitment to net zero, and the overarching BA Better World sustainability strategy.

We will learn about BA’s short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to support greener flying, its CO2llaborate platform that embeds sustainability into the customer journey, the comprehensive employee engagement program, and the airline’s strong focus on operational efficiencies. Harris also highlights BA’s investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the airline’s efforts to reduce waste and single-use plastics, and its research project on contrails and non-CO2 emissions.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Air France’s Director of Sustainability and New Mobilities, Vincent Etchebehere, who shares the airline’s short- and long-term pathways to net zero emissions, intermodal partnerships and the importance of SAF. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

BA Better World - British Airways

Sustainability at British Airways 2023 - British Airways

BA, Lanzajet & Nova Pangaea move closer towards large-scale production of SAF in the UK - British Airways

British Airways Co2llaborate platform - Chooose

How Air France plans to exceed the EU’s decarbonisation targets - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we speak with SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam, and Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer, about the launch of their brand new book, ‘Sustainability in the Air.’

The aviation industry finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the environmental consequences of its operations. While today aviation’s global share of greenhouse gases is around 3%, that could grow to 22% by 2050 if left unchecked. But the authors of Sustainability in the Air argue that this is not a doomsday scenario; it’s a call to action.

In their book, Dirk and Shashank delve into the industry’s challenges while painting a picture of hope through a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable aviation. The book however, isn't just a roadmap; it tells the stories of people in the aviation industry and within climate tech, striving for aviation’s net zero future.

Featuring industry leaders like Etihad, SkyTeam, JetBlue, and innovators like AIR COMPANY, Heart Aerospace, ZeroAvia, Archer, ‘Sustainability in the Air’ shines a light on the positive changes that aviation can make while offering concrete solutions.

You can learn more about the book here, or order it on Amazon.

Links & More:

Sustainability in the Air: Innovators Transforming Aviation for a Greener Future - SimpliFlying

How JetBlue plans to get to net zero by 2040 without stifling growth - SimpliFlying

How AIR COMPANY is transforming CO2 into clean alcohols and fuel - SimpliFlying

Why Heart Aerospace’s electric aircraft is a gamechanger - SimpliFlying

Why ZeroAvia believes that hydrogen propulsion is the future - SimpliFlying

Why eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlying

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In this episode we talk to Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossil Free NL (Fossielvrij NL), a Dutch citizens’ movement seeking to “break the power of the fossil fuel industry”.

Arts voices her concerns about the aviation industry’s contributions to the climate crisis and emphasises her scepticism about the aviation industry’s genuine commitment to addressing climate concerns. The conversation delves into the concept of a “carbon budget” and the aviation industry’s emissions, with Hiske arguing that the sector faces unique challenges to become sustainable.

We also learn about the growth trajectory of the aviation sector, with much of the debate centring on the responsibility of developed nations versus developing nations in tackling emissions. Arts maintains that developed nations, due to their historical contributions to emissions, should take the lead in addressing climate change. This view is reflected in her stance on the aviation industry’s growth aspirations; Arts believes that true sustainability cannot coexist with the current emphasis on continual growth.

Please note: When talking about SBTi, Hiske mistakenly mentions that they delay emissions reductions until after 2030. What she meant to say was that SBTi targets are delaying steep emission reductions until after 2030.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with the International Council on Clean Transportation’s (ICCT) Program Director, Dan Rutherford, who dives deep into the future of sustainable aviation and the trajectory airlines and governments need to follow to get to net-zero emissions.. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

The Fossil Free Movement - Fossielvrij NL

FossielVrij NL v. KLM - Climate Change Litigation

Dutch government presses ahead with Schiphol flight cap as airlines protest - Reuters

Would a frequent flying tax be progressive? - International Council on Clean Transportation

Dan Rutherford on net-zero roadmaps and transitioning to sustainable technologies - SimpliFlying

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In this episode we talk to Nathan Millecam, President & CEO of Electric Power Systems (EP Systems) about designing the perfect battery to power electric aircraft.

Millecam’s company is a pioneer in aircraft battery technology. His journey began with a role at Honeywell Aerospace, where he worked on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s power system. This introduced him to the potential of lithium-ion batteries in aviation. He then started EP Systems in 2016 to explore the potential application of lithium-ion batteries in aircraft, given their improving power density and followed this up with learnings from collaborating with NASA on their X-57 experimental electric aircraft project.

We’ll also learn about the company’s partnerships with Ampaire and REGENT and the intricacies and practicalities of designing and customising batteries for hybrid-electric and all-electric planes. Millecam points out the significant savings associated with running battery-powered aircraft as compared to sticking with traditional jet combustion engines.

While discussing JetBlue Ventures’ investment in the company, he also stresses the importance of economic viability in sustainable aviation. He elaborates on battery technology advancements, emphasising quick recharging, and real-world applications and reveals when the public can expect to actually experience all-electric planes.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

EPiC propulsion battery - EP Systems

Ampaire chooses EP Systems to supply battery packs for hybrid-electric Eco Caravan - Avionics International

Performance analysis of regional electric aircraft - ICCT

Electric airplane industry & trends - Toptal

EP Systems enters strategic partnership with REGENT - Avionics International

Electric Power Systems awarded the Energy Storage System for the NASA X-57 Maxwell all-electric aircraft - EP Systems

South America’s ‘lithium fields’ reveal the dark side of our electric future - Euronews

Amy Burr on how JetBlue Ventures is investing in the future of sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying

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In this episode we talk to Daniel Wiegand, Co-founder & Chief Engineer for Innovation and Future Programmes at Lilium. He shares Lilium’s vision to revolutionise regional air mobility by building the world’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet.

While most eVTOLs are seen as advanced versions of helicopters, Lilium Jet’s unique design allows for passengers to be transported using vertical takeoff and landing, and then proceed with what they’re terming “jet propulsion” for travel. The company expects its first eVTOL jet to enter commercial service by the end of 2025.

Speaking about the future, Wiegand mentions that commercial operations are likely to start post certification in 2025, targeting the premium segment. He concludes by discussing their collaboration strategy, combining aerospace precision with automotive scalability, and how their carefully nurtured partnerships support a joint vision of sustainable aviation.

Please note: This interview was recorded in April 2023. By the time of the episode release, Lilium had completed its fourth and final Design Organization Approval by EASA, and had raised additional funding bringing the total raised this year to $292 million.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation; Bonny Simi, Joby Aviation’s Head of Air Operations and People; and André Stein, Chief Strategy Officer at Eve Air Mobility.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

The extraordinary batteries Lilium will use for its odd eVTOL approach - New AtlasHoneywell and DENSO are developing a motor for Lilium’s eVTOL aircraft - Avionics InternationalLilium partners with Ferrovial to build network of 10+ vertiports in Florida - Vertical MagWhy eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlyingJoby wants to alleviate the pain and frustration of getting from home to your airline seat - SimpliFlyingLilium completes final audit in major step towards achieving EASA Design Organization Approval - Lilium

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In this episode we talk to Andrea Carroll, Group Head of Sustainability at daa, about how the global airport group is taking a holistic approach to sustainability and fostering a climate positive culture that promotes sustainability as a shared responsibility.

daa group are the commercial semi-state operators of Dublin and Cork airports; airport retail operators (ARI) and management consulting (daai). As daa has grown to have a presence in about 15 countries, it has shed its previous name: “Dublin Airport Authority”. Its current operations extend beyond Ireland’s two largest airports – Dublin and Cork – to the Middle East, Canada, APAC, and Europe. Their business model is diverse, and they even have investments in airports in Cyprus and Düsseldorf.

We will learn about the daa's global footprint and its commitment to sustainability, including decarbonisation efforts like integrating solar farms, circularity initiatives to reduce waste, and measures to enhance local environments. The conversation underscores the significance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, with daa actively coordinating with airlines, local communities, and even policymakers.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Paul Griffiths, CEO at Dubai International Airport about the sustainability initiatives at one of the largest airports in the world. Check it out here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Creating a climate positive culture for the daa – International Airport Review

HVO propelling sustainability at Dublin Airport – Certa

Sustainability Reports – daa

ESG – daa International

Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group – Dublin Airport

➡️ How do you decarbonise a major airport? – SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Haldane Dodd, Executive Director at Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), about how the non-profit is assisting the aviation industry in its net-zero by 2050 journey.

Since 1990, the Geneva-based ATAG has brought the industry together to address the most pressing issues of the day. Their membership currently comprises over 40 organisations, including airframe and engine manufacturers, airlines, airports, and sustainable fuel companies. They offer platforms for collaboration, provide valuable data, and develop educational resources, promoting the industry’s sustainability efforts.

The conversation centres around ATAG’s role, CORSIA and its critics, achieving net-zero by 2050, the commercial viability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), the role of hydrogen, and confronting greenwashing. Dodd underscores the industry’s shift in focus from infrastructure to climate change, drawing parallels between collective safety initiatives and sustainability.

We also learn about Waypoint 2050, a comprehensive guide detailing three pathways for the industry’s carbon-neutral future. Dodd emphasises SAF as an immediate solution and the need for large-scale investment, while also acknowledging the potential of emerging technologies like hydrogen and electric planes.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with ACI World’s Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira who shares how the organisation is supporting airports in their net-zero journey. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Waypoint 2050 - ATAG

IATA - Incentives Needed to Increase SAF Production

Out Front on Airline Safety: Two Decades of Continuous Evolution - FAA

Future of Aviation - ICAO

CORSIA Fact sheet - IATA

Corsia: worst option for the climate - Transport and Environment

The airport of the future will be carbon positive, not just carbon neutral - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to André Stein, Chief Strategy Officer at Eve Air Mobility, a subsidiary of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

Stein talks about the transformative potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in urban mobility. He explains how Eve is emphasising the passenger experience, striving to cater to a wide demographic, including the elderly, visually impaired, wheelchair users, and addressing concerns like motion sickness.

We’ll also learn about how Eve leverages the capabilities of its parent company, Embraer, benefitting from its established aviation experience and infrastructure. Furthermore, Stein stresses Eve’s dedication to sustainability – extending from aircraft design to operations, engaging with energy providers for green solutions and collaborating with global entities to achieve broader sustainability targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversations we had with two other stalwarts in the eVTOL space – Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation and Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People and Joby Aviation. Learn more about their visions for the future of urban air mobility here and here.

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air”. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:eVTOL - EveEmbraer-XUnited Airlines invests $15M in Eve, signs purchase sgreement for pp to 400 eVTOLs - Avionics InternationalEve is collaborating with MIT to make data-driven decisions to build the urban air mobility market - Eve Air MobilityBLADE and Eve announce strategic partnership to expand Urban Air Mobility ecosystem in India - Eve Air MobilityWhy eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlyingJoby wants to alleviate the pain and frustration of getting from home to your airline seat - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Amy Ruddock, VP Europe and Middle East at Carbon Engineering.

Based in British Columbia, Canada, Carbon Engineering aims to combat climate change by globally implementing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology at a megaton-scale. Unlike traditional methods, DAC directly extracts CO2, the key greenhouse gas behind climate change, from the atmosphere, addressing both current unavoidable emissions and past CO2 emissions still present in the atmosphere.

The discussion centers on carbon emissions, capture, and aviation’s role in climate change. Ruddock calls for carbon balance, and discusses the Carbon Engineering and Occidental Petroleum partnership, emphasising strategic alliances and Occidental’s commitment to carbon management. We also learn about carbon capture credits, synthetic aviation fuels, cost reduction, direct air capture hubs, Ruddock’s career and passion for decarbonising aviation, Heathrow expansion, Virgin Atlantic's 100% SAF flight, and Carbon Engineering's global expansion plans.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Company whose proprietary AIRMADE™ technology that replicates photosynthesis, is converting carbon dioxide into pure alcohols. Initially introducing a carbon-negative vodka, Air Vodka, the company also produces sanitiser and perfume. Crucially, they’ve developed a one-step, 100% drop-in sustainable aviation fuel directly from CO2. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Direct Air Capture Technology - Carbon Engineering

1PointFive announces agreement with Airbus for the purchase of 400,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits - Decarbonisation Technology

How All Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feedstocks and Production Technologies Can Play a Role in Decarbonizing Aviation - Aviation Pros

Occidental, 1PointFive to Begin Construction of World's Largest Direct Air Capture Plant in the Texas Permian Basin - Oxy

Visualizing the scale of the carbon removal problem - The Verge

Virgin Atlantic’s 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel gambit - SimpliFlying

➡️ The company transforming CO2 into clean alcohols and fuel - SimpliFlying

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In the special 50th episode, SimpliFlying CEO and host of the podcast, Shashank Nigam, reflects on the podcast's evolution from its inception on Earth Day 2022. He is joined by the SimpliFlying team members as they record the episode on a boat in London during their annual retreat.

Shashank begins by highlighting the critical contributions of each member of the SimpliFlying team in the areas of research, writing, production management, design, marketing and distribution. Tracing the podcast's journey, Shashank notes the transition from his initial short YouTube video content to in-depth podcasts, driven by his – and the company’s – increasing interest and curiosity in sustainable aviation.

Apart from discussing unique features like innovative visual branding and insightful articles that replace traditional transcripts, the team also recalls some of their favourite and most insightful episodes. Red Sea Global’s episode on its regenerative tourism site receives a special mention as it aims to be the largest tourism destination in the world that is powered 100% by renewable energy 24 hours a day. Other noteworthy episodes include interviews with AIR COMPANY, which transforms carbon dioxide into sustainable aviation fuel, and Archer, an electric air taxi firm. The episode on SATAVIA’s contrail reduction technology is mentioned, with Shashank noting its relevance from an earlier conversation with Etihad Airways.

Overall, the team remains optimistic about sustainable aviation’s future, foreseeing innovations in hydrogen fuel and other green technologies. Concluding with light-hearted bloopers and future aspirations, the episode emphasises the podcast’s commitment to advancing discussions on sustainable aviation.

A special shout-out to our sponsors, both past and present, who have championed our podcast since day 1 – CarbonClick, Cirium, and our current sponsor, Travelport.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

How Red Sea Global’s ambitious eco-tourism model could save the planet

The company transforming CO2 into clean alcohols and fuel

Why eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Amazon

The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg - Penguin Random House

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In this episode, we talk to Tom Kershaw, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Travelport, about how technology coupled with a transparent, collaborative approach can lead to a sustainable future.

Travelport is a travel technology company with transparency at its core. It provides “a single, independent marketplace for buyers and sellers of travel” that helps travellers make informed travel decisions while enabling travel businesses such as airlines and hotels to personalise their content and offers.

Kershaw asserts that sustainability is a technical problem that requires integration and collaboration across various departments, including revenue, marketing, and technology. He emphasises that sustainability should be a part of the culture in every organisation, not a segregated department.

You’ll also learn about the importance of having standard and transparent calculations for carbon emissions, rather than aiming for absolute accuracy. Kershaw stresses the need for consumers to understand the relative impact of their choices and make informed decisions. Most importantly, the episode explains why the intersection of government policy, corporate responsibility, and technological innovation is crucial for the path ahead.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Red Sea Global’s CEO John Pagano who shares how the developer is rethinking eco-tourism that will allow you to travel not just net-zero, but true climate positive. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

About Travelport

Travelport+ is the platform for modern agency retailing - Travelport

Travelport Joins Travalyst Coalition and Escalates Focus on Sustainability in Travel Retailing - Travelport

IATA CO2 Connect Calculator

European Green Deal: new law agreed to cut aviation emissions by promoting sustainable aviation fuels - European Commission

US-based United Airlines expects Inflation Reduction Act to spur more SAF output - S&P

➡️ How Red Sea Global’s ambitious eco-tourism model could save the planet - SimpliFlying

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SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact

In this episode, we talk to Adam Durant, Founder & CEO of SATAVIA, about the groundbreaking work being done in the field of contrail reduction and its implications on the environment.

Contrails are the long, thin clouds that often form behind an airplane in cold and humid conditions when water vapor freezes around small dust and soot particles from the engine. Although they look harmless, contrails are made up of small ice crystals that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming – one study suggests contrails are responsible for as much as 57% of aviation’s warming impact.

Durant talks about how addressing contrail formation is an important sustainability problem that can be tackled effectively with current technology and resources. He says that only “persistent” contrails, formed by about 5% of flights, are at fault. Moreover, he emphasises that not all contrails are harmful; some even have a cooling effect. He suggests a strategic approach, avoiding contrails that cause warming while possibly utilising those that have a cooling effect.

Overall, while delving into the fascinating science of contrails and the technical details of how SATAVIA’s software helps airlines such as Etihad and KLM avoid contrail formation, Durant stresses the importance of looking beyond carbon emissions to fully grasp and manage the aviation sector's impact on climate change.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with ex-Etihad CEO Tony Dougas who shared how Etihad is paving the way for the entire industry to move a step closer to net-zero. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Technology - SATAVIA

Contrails are a problem for aviation -- but there could be an easy solution - CNN

The contribution of global aviation to anthropogenic climate forcing for 2000 to 2018 - ScienceDirect

Etihad Airways signs multi-year commercial production contract with Satavia - Times Aerospace

Contrails prevention specialist SATAVIA seeks carbon-credit accreditation - Aviation Week Network

Institute for Atmospheric Physics - Contrail Cirrus Prediction Model (CoCiP)

Gold Standard approves aircraft contrails methodology concept - Gold Standard

Project Contrails – Google Research

How Etihad is leading the industry towards a sustainable future - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Sara Bogdan, Head of Sustainability and ESG at JetBlue Airways, one of the two airlines in the world planning to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 – a full decade ahead of the industry's target.

Bogdan talks about sustainability in the aviation industry, with a particular focus on JetBlue's pioneering efforts. Beginning with a broad overview of global environmental challenges, she highlights various initiatives to enhance fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and employ sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs).

We also learn about the airline's collaborative approach with suppliers, government agencies, and stakeholders. The complexity of balancing business growth with environmental impact is explored, with an emphasis on the necessity for transparency, innovation, and accountability.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with JetBlue Ventures President Amy Burr who shared how JetBlue’s technology investments are aiding the aviation sector to make progressive moves towards sustainability. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

JetBlue Announces Science-based Emissions Reduction Target and Strategy to Achieve Net Zero by 2040 - JetBlue

United, JetBlue further investments in sustainability - PhocusWire

JetBlue, Shell ink sustainable fuel deal trackable using blockchain - Ledger Insights

JetBlue to allow travellers to contribute towards SAF - Business Travel News

JetBlue Partners With CHOOSE To Give Customers Tools To Scale Sustainable Flying - TravelPulse

JetBlue signs SAF supply agreement with AIR COMPANY - Airport Technology

Amy Burr on how JetBlue Ventures is investing in the future of sustainable aviation - SimpliFlying

How Sara Bogdan is taking JetBlue towards net zero via SAF and more - SimpliFlying

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The airline aiming for net zero 22 years before the industry target

In this episode, we talk to Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper about KLM’s bold gambit in utilising regional aviation as a testbed for its overall sustainability strategy.

KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of the Dutch airline KLM, has an ambitious and focused vision for reaching net zero this decade itself. While discussing the sustainability challenges in the aviation industry, Koopmans also acknowledges the significant role of climate activists and changing consumer behaviours.

Koopmans emphasises the importance of people, particularly the young generation, in driving change and encourages them to join companies like KLM. Most importantly, Koopmans stresses the necessity of narrowing one’s focus in order to achieve tangible results. So how exactly does KLM Cityhopper intend to get to net zero by 2028? Listen to our episode and find out.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

KLM Group’s CO2 emission reduction targets for 2030 approved by SBTi - KLM

KLM completes inaugural Sustainable Flight Challenge using GE Jet Engines - The GE Aerospace Blog.

Sustainable Flight Challenge: KLM and KLM Cityhopper to LA and Trondheim - Bluebiz

KLM doubles sustainable fuel surcharge to cover cost of more SAF - Runway Girl Network

KLM starts collaboration with AeroDelft student team: building a hydrogen plane - KLM

KLM to officially launch rail-air service between Brussels and Amsterdam – Business Traveller

Why SkyTeam believes the world needs “conscious travel” - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Nadia Kaddouri, former Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer for Swissport International, the leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling based on revenue and number of airports served.

In this episode, Kaddouri stresses that the hope for a net-zero future lies in people’s excitement and willingness to adopt sustainability measures. While laying out Swissport’s vision and plans for a net-zero future, she highlights the wider scope of sustainability beyond decarbonisation and acknowledges the impactful role of COVID-19 in changing industry work practices.

We also learn about Kaddouri’s fascinating shift from heading finance to leading sustainability. She emphasises the importance of passion and continuous learning in navigating new fields and shares her approach to learning about sustainability, which includes drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as other companies, suppliers, and podcasts.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Dubai International Airport’s CEO Paul Griffiths. He talks at length about the sustainability initiatives at one of the largest airports in the world. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Swissport International AG - Sustainability

Swissport announces new sustainability targets - Passenger Terminal Today

Swissport to reduce its CO2 emissions by at least 42 percent by 2032 - BTN

Swissport embraces growth and green logistics - Air Cargo News

Amsterdam Schiphol ground handling vehicles to run on Neste renewable diesel - AviationSource News

➡️ How do you decarbonise a major airport? - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, a company that wants to make hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality.

Universal Hydrogen’s first product is a conversion kit for existing ATR72 and De Havilland Canada Dash-8 aircraft to fly on hydrogen. It includes a fuel cell electric powertrain and lightweight, modular hydrogen capsules transported directly to the aircraft.

In this episode, we’ll learn about the potential of modularity in aerospace manufacturing and the urgent necessity for innovative solutions in this space. Emphasising the value of radical changes over incremental improvements, Eremenko argues for exploring alternatives to conventional jet fuel. He makes a compelling case for hydrogen as a potential fuel source, capable of significantly reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint and helping meet global sustainability goals.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Universal Hydrogen co-founder John-Paul Clarke. He explains how hydrogen – specifically green hydrogen – can help airlines achieve their net zero goals. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Universal Hydrogen takes to the air with the largest hydrogen fuel cell ever to fly - TechCrunch

Universal Hydrogen Dash 8-300 makes second flight - The Air Current

Universal Hydrogen moves its flight test campaign to Mojave - Inceptive Mind

Universal Hydrogen to offer green solutions for Japanese Airlines - Airport Technology

Universal Hydrogen advances ATR 72 hydrogen conversion - Aviation Week Network

Meet Lightning McClean, the largest hydrogen-powered plane so far - Move Electric

Air New Zealand announces Heart Aerospace, Universal Hydrogen and Embraer as further Mission Next Gen Aircraft partners - Future Travel Experience

Universal Hydrogen lands $20.5m investment, Airbus and JetBlue arms contribute - Flight Global

American Airlines Invests in Universal Hydrogen Co. - Avionics International

Universal Hydrogen’s vision to get aviation to net zero - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Jane Ashton, Sustainability Director at easyJet, Europe’s second-largest budget carrier.

Ashton enumerates the six levers of sustainability that easyJet is working on to get to net zero by 2050, and explains why the airline moved away from betting on electric to hydrogen propulsion.

In this episode, we’ll also learn about the various partnerships easyJet is exploring to make hydrogen propulsion a reality; the current status of their partnership with Wright Electric; why the airline has completely disavowed carbon offsetting; and the need for closer industry collaboration as well as the regulatory infrastructure to enable new technologies to scale.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Amanda Simpson, Vice President for Research & Technology (Americas) at Airbus. She elaborates why Airbus firmly believes that hydrogen has the potential to offer a true clean fuel solution to not just aviation but other industries as well. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Net Zero Pathway – easyJet

easyJet publishes SBTi-aligned net-zero roadmap to 2050 - ATAG

easyJet upgrading A320 fleet with Airbus optimisation technology - Simple Flying

easyJet switches ‘green’ aviation focus from electric planes to hydrogen fuel - The Independent

Rolls-Royce and easyJet test aircraft engine running on hydrogen - The Guardian

GKN Aerospace, easyJet partner to promote decarbonization, advance hydrogen technology - Avionics International

easyJet urges governments to back Airbus bet on hydrogen - Bloomberg

easyJet to ditch landmark carbon offsetting scheme - Financial Times

Why Airbus is betting big on hydrogen combustion - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Andreas Aks, CEO of Widerøe Zero, a subsidiary of the Norwegian airline Widerøe.

Widerøe Zero has been set up as a consultancy-cum-incubator that seeks to shed the baggage of legacy aviation and usher in a green future. The company aims to tackle the regulatory, commercial and financing challenges involved in purchasing and operating an entirely new class of aircraft.

In this episode, we’ll delve into sustainable aviation’s future, particularly focusing on electric and hydrogen-fueled aircraft. We’ll also learn about the need for long-term vision and industry-wide collaboration; exploring the potential of retrofitting existing fleets; and the vital role OEMs and customers play in this future-facing transformation of the aviation industry.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Embraer’s President & CEO Arjan Meijer and Vice President of Marketing and Strategy Rodrigo Silva e Souza. They elaborate on Embraer’s ambitious roadmap for decarbonising regional aviation. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Nordic airline Wideroe launches unit for emissions-free flying - Reuters

Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation - European Commission

Widerøe Zero to launch Air Mobility Lab - Widerøe Zero

Wideroe outlines ambitions for zero-emissions flying - Flight Global

Rolls-Royce Joins Forces with Tecnam, Widerøe on Electric Model - FLYING Magazine

Eve and Widerøe expand partnership with order of 50 eVTOL aircraft - Airport Technology

Widerøe First Airline to Join Embraer’s Energia Advisory Group - Embraer

Embraer, Widerøe and Rolls-Royce Partner To Pursue Zero Emission Flight - Aero Expo

Embraer’s ambitious roadmap for decarbonising regional aviation - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People at Joby Aviation.

On our podcast, she explains why, thanks to over 10 years of designing, developing and testing, Joby is set to be a leader in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) space. Thanks to an initial investment by JetBlue Ventures, followed by further investment and an exclusive partnership with Delta Air Lines, Joby expects to enter commercial service in 2025.

We’ll also hear about the company’s grand vision of saving a billion people an hour a day; the value of collaboration and partnerships while building a new aircraft; the benefit of attracting top talent from a variety of companies and building a people-first organisation; and why these so-called electric air taxis will usher in a radical new form of convenient and affordable last-mile transportation.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation. Goldstein explains in detail how eVTOLs will change the way we live, travel and spend time. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

JetBlue invests in flying taxi startup - Travel Mole

Toyota-backed Joby eVTOL production to start in California, USA - Team-BHP

Joby Aviation receives permit to fly first eVTOL built on production line - TechCrunch

How Joby and Delta are making flying taxis a reality - CNBC

Joby and ANA to operate eVTOL flights at Expo 2025 Osaka - AeroTime

Dubai again plans for flying taxi takeoff, this time by 2026 - ET EnergyWorld

Joby Aviation Reveals Details of Its New ‘Aviation Academy’ - FLYING Magazine

Why eVTOLS will change the way we live, travel and spend time - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Oscar Munoz, former CEO of United Airlines and recently retired Executive Chairman of the airline’s board. Munoz shares insights from his new book, “Turnaround Time”, a deeply personal account of his time as CEO during which he led United’s remarkable comeback.

On our podcast, he explains the pivotal role of empathy and trust in leadership, especially in navigating an organization through crises and fostering an innovative and inclusive culture for long-term success and sustainability.

We’ll also hear about the value of diversity and inclusion; innovation during crises like COVID-19; and the future of aviation with sustainability and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) playing significant roles.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Scott Kirby, the current CEO of United Airlines. Kirby explains in detail how United Airlines is the carrier to look up to when it comes to sustainability strategy and investments. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Turnaround Time by Oscar Munoz

How United’s Oscar Munoz Bounced Back After a Heart Transplant - Fortune

2017 United Express Passenger Removal - Wikipedia

How Former United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz Turned the Struggling Airline Around - Inc.com

United's Busting Out the Big Bucks On Flying Taxis - Gizmodo

Archer, United Airlines to Launch First eVTOL Air Shuttle - Airways Magazine

How Scott Kirby is making United Airlines a global leader in sustainability - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Zita Schellekens, SVP Strategy & Sustainability at KLM who explains how a sustainable future can be achieved without sacrificing growth.

We’ll hear about KLM’s commitment to sustainability through innovative technologies and collaborations. In addition, the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, testing new aircraft designs, and integrating sustainability into business decisions are key strategies. We’ll also learn how KLM’s decision to abandon “economic tankering” for environmental reasons exemplifies a willingness to make tough choices for a greener future.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s VP Corporate Development and Sustainability. She shares how the airline is preparing to conduct a historic 100% SAF flight with its partners; the existing regulatory and technical challenges with procuring, producing and using SAF; and other pathways to net zero by 2050. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Note: This episode is a part of our SkyTeam special series. In this series, we will highlight SkyTeam member airlines participating in The Sustainable Flight Challenge, and bringing sustainability into flight operations today.

Links & More:

KLM Group’s CO2 emission reduction targets for 2030 approved by SBTi - KLM

Tankering in aviation - Transport & Environment

EU agrees to decarbonize air travel with the ‘world’s largest green fuels mandate for aviation’ - CNBC

KLM starts collaboration with AeroDelft student team: building a hydrogen plane - KLM

KLM, SkyNRG and SHV Energy greenlight the world’s largest stand-alone sustainable aviation fuels project - Biofuels Digest

Neste to supply the Air France-KLM Group with more than 1 million tons of SAF - ARGS

Air France KLM Signs 210 Million Gallon SAF Offtake Agreement With DG Fuels - DGFuels

Sustainable Flight Challenge - SkyTeam

Virgin Atlantic’s 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel gambit - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Vincent Etchebehere, Director of Sustainability and New Mobilities at Air France who maps out the airline’s short- and long-term pathways to net zero emissions.

We’ll also learn about the importance and effectiveness of fleet renewal and how the airline is planning to adopt alternative fuels including hydrogen and reduce its carbon footprint. Etchebehere highlights Air France’s investments in SAF; explains why transparency and science-based communication are crucial; and urges intra-industry cooperation to aid the airline’s efforts to meet its decarbonisation targets.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby who firmly believes that sustainability is the defining issue for our generation to solve. He explains in detail how United is the carrier to look up to when it comes to sustainability strategy and investment; their investments in SAF; and why carbon sequestration is far better than carbon offsetting. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Note: This episode is a part of our SkyTeam special series. In this series, we will highlight SkyTeam member airlines participating in The Sustainable Flight Challenge, and bringing sustainability into flight operations today.

Links & More:

France has banned air travel between cities that can be reached easily by train - Business Insider

Fleet modernization, the first lever in the Group’s decarbonization - Air France

Air France and SNCF to operate an additional 7 “Train + Air” services - Air France

Air France-KLM pushes its sustainability targets forward with major multi-year Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) purchase agreements - Air France

EU agrees to world’s largest green fuels mandate for aviation - Transport & Environment

Air France CEO Anne Rigail sees trains playing a bigger role in her airline’s strategy - Airline Weekly

Sustainable Flight Challenge - SkyTeam

How Scott Kirby is making United Airlines a global leader in sustainability - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux, who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. He also discusses The Sustainable Flight Challenge, SkyTeam’s groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainable innovations, and how sustainability can be an integral part of customer experience.

We’ll also learn about the importance of collaboration among airlines to achieve sustainability, the evolving customer experience driven by environmental consciousness, the necessity to adapt despite varying regulatory pressures, and the value of sharing innovations and best practices.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh, who shared how the alliance is supporting airlines in stepping up their sustainability game, including efforts such as inter-modal partnerships, a sustainability summit, investment in SAF and more. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Note: This episode is a part of our SkyTeam special series. In this series, we will highlight SkyTeam member airlines participating in The Sustainable Flight Challenge, and bringing sustainability into flight operations today.

Links & More:

Sustainable Flight Challenge - SkyTeam

Impact of TSFC - SkyTeam

SAUDIA participates in SkyTeam’s Sustainable Flight Challenge 2023 in joint effort to make aviation cleaner - Bloomberg

Kenya Airways operates its most sustainable boeing 787 flight yet - Simple Flying

DB becomes first intermodal partner of the Star Alliance - Railway News

How Star Alliance is facilitating a net-zero future in aviation - SimpliFlying

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In this episode, we talk to Amelia DeLuca, Vice President, International Customer Experience and Partner Sustainability at Delta Air Lines. She shares how the next frontier of sustainability is collaboration – not only from collaboration with their SkyTeam airline partners, but also in how it shows up in other spheres whether they’re on the ground or in the air.

We’ll also learn about Delta’s single-minded focus on tracking customer preferences and linking them to sustainability; the airline’s efforts to run on 10% SAF by 2030; the aggressive campaign to discard single-use plastics and reduce waste; a unique collaboration with MIT to explore the reduction of airplane contrails; and, of course, the first-of-its-kind Sustainable Skies Lab that seeks to create a space for various stakeholders and innovators to collaborate and realise the future of sustainability.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s VP Corporate Development and Sustainability. She shares how the airline is preparing to conduct their historic 100% SAF flight and using SAF and other pathways to net zero by 2050. Check it out here.

Reach out to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Note: This episode is a part of our SkyTeam special series. In this series, we will highlight SkyTeam member airlines participating in The Sustainable Flight Challenge***, and bringing sustainability into flight operations today.

Links and more:***

Delta Ups onboard sustainability with eco-friendly soft products - Simple Flying

Clean Skies for Tomorrow leaders: 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030 - World Economic Forum

Delta signs SAF agreement with Gevo - Biomass Magazine

California Legislature passes bill to achieve 20% SAF use by 2030 - Biobased Diesel

Fort Worth’s Aero Design Labs aims to help Delta Air Lines save fuel, reduce carbon emissions with 'Drag Reduction Kits' - Dallas Innovates

Delta to work with MIT to study impact of airplane contrails on climate - Phys Org

Delta Airlines and Joby outline a seamless, sustainable eVTOL passenger experience - APEX

Delta Air Lines pushes towards net zero emissions with Sustainable Skies Lab - Forbes

Virgin Atlantic’s 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel gambit - SimpliFlying

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Later this year, Virgin Atlantic will conduct the world’s first net zero transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). If all goes well, it could set the stage for much cleaner flying by the end of this decade.

In this episode, we talk to Holly-Boyd Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s VP Corporate Development and Sustainability. She shares how Virgin Atlantic is preparing to conduct the historic flight with its partners and the existing regulatory and technical challenges with procuring, producing and using SAF.

We’ll also learn about the importance of studying the impact of contrails on the climate; the potential of carbon capture technology; Virgin Atlantic's corporate SAF programme; their in-flight sustainability initiatives and much more.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sheila Remes, Boeing’s Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, who shared how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders – such as Virgin Atlantic – to move aviation towards its 2050 net zero goal. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

[2008] Boeing, Virgin Atlantic and GE Aviation to Fly First Commercial Jet on Biofuel - Boeing Newsroom

World’s first net zero transatlantic flight to fly from London in 2023 - GOV.UK

Virgin Atlantic purchases 10 million gallons of SAF from Gevo - Biofuels International Magazine

Virgin Group plans to use low-carbon fuel made from plastic waste - The Independent

Airlines and others collaborate to study contrails - Travel Weekly

Protecting our planet - Virgin Atlantic

Reducing, reusing and recycling - Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic launches corporate SAF programme - Business Travel News Europe

Boeing’s Sheila Remes in conversation with Shashank Nigam - SimpliFlying

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Carbon offsetting is a frequently used solution for mitigating excessive emissions, especially in aviation. The solution however, is not without its fair share of controversies.

In this episode, we talk to CarbonClick’s Vice President of Enterprise Product & Strategic Partnerships, Seth Horowitz. He shares how the carbon offsets, when used carefully, can be an asset to aviation.

As an industry leader in managing and implementing transparent offsetting programs, CarbonClick helps individuals and top global airlines reduce pollution while restoring nature. However, Horowitz emphasises that offsetting must be used as the last step mitigation strategy, only after every other reduction methodology has been exhausted.

We’ll also learn about Horowitz’s thoughts on the recent controversy and criticisms of carbon offsetting; how CarbonClick verifies and selects projects; the offsetting technology platform that the company provides to airlines and eCommerce companies; individual responsibility towards the environment and why intentional flying is the way forward.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Tony Douglas, Group CEO of Etihad, who shares his thoughts on Etihad’s carbon offsetting programme and how the airline is paving the way for the entire industry to move a step closer to net-zero. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Full disclosure: CarbonClick is a co-sponsor of the Sustainability in the Air podcast Season 3 and has been the sole sponsor for Seasons 1 and 2.

Links & More:

Airport and Airline Carbon Offsetting Solution for Bookings - CarbonClick

The Carbon Con – How offsetting claims are vastly inflated - Source Material

Carbon offsets are in the news again. What should you do? - SimpliFlying

The Gold Standard

Etihad Airways boosts carbon offset programme

Tony Douglas, Etihad Airways CEO, in conversation with Shashank Nigam - SimpliFlying

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**Aircraft are the heart of aviation. Making efficient and greener aircraft is possibly the most effective way to cut the industry’s carbon emissions.

In this episode, we talk to Embraer’s President & CEO Arjan Meijer and Vice President of Marketing and Strategy Rodrigo Silva e Souza. They share how the aircraft manufacturer is on a mission to decarbonise regional aviation through a mix of innovative technologies.**

At the heart of Embraer’s sustainability roadmap is their regional air mobility (RAM) and urban air mobility (UAM) strategy. Underpinned by their Energia hybrid-electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft and Eve Air Mobility’s eVTOLs, Embraer is placing its bets on decarbonising shortest-haul travel first.

We’ll also learn about why planes cannot entirely be replaced by trains; the sustainability outlook for business jets; how Embraer built the world’s quietest narrowbody aircraft; the ways in which in-cabin improvements can enhance sustainability; Embraer’s plan for carbon neutral operations by 2040 and net zero by 2050.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Airbus’ Amanda Simpson about how the airframer is at the forefront of investing in new technologies and innovations, chief among them being hydrogen. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Embraer - The shape of things to come, new sustainable aircraft concepts revealed

Concepts - Embraer Commercial Aviation Sustainability

Demonstrators and customer feedback at heart of Embraer’s Energia roadmap - Flight Global

What Is New With Embraer's Energia Family Concept? - Simple Flying

A look at Eve’s eVTOL aircraft as it targets type certification in late 2025 - Vertical

Schiphol eliminating all overnight flights and private flights by the end of 2025 - NL Times

Inside Embraer - How The E2 Became The Quietest Jet - Simple Flying

Embraer commits to carbon neutral operations by 2040 - Aviation Benefits

Embraer, Raízen partnership to stimulate production of sustainable aviation fuel - Biobased Diesel

Embraer sets new target for 100% green electricity in Brazil - Airport Technology

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As one of the world’s most visionary resort developers, Red Sea Global wants to show that there is a better way to positively shape the places in which we live, work and travel.

In this episode, we talk to John Pagano, CEO at Red Sea Global. He shares how the company is creating brand new eco-tourism destinations that will allow you to travel not just net-zero, but true climate positive.

By re-thinking the entire model of what tourism can be — and should be — in the future, Red Sea Global is on a mission to prove that good business can go hand-in-hand with a greener planet. As Pagano says, we know what we’ve done wrong in the past, and we know the reasons for the current climate and ecological crisis. And it’s up to us to not repeat those mistakes.

We’ll also learn about setting the ecological ceiling to preserve the environment, how Red Sea Global is going 100% renewable by building the world's largest microgrid and battery storage systems; how to use data to increase the net conservation value; and why transparency is the key to setting and achieving goals.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Universal Hydrogen’s John-Paul Clarke on how hydrogen can be a game-changer in clean transportation, especially aviation. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Responsible Development by Red Sea Global

About the Red Sea Project and Amaala

World’s largest battery storage facility

Red Sea Global - Sustainability Report 2022

Climate change: The IPCC just published its summary of 5 years of reports – here's what you need to know

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As the industry leader in aviation analytics, Cirium assists the aviation industry in predicting future trends through its rich datasets that date back to 1947 and cover over 400,000 aircraft!

In this episode, we talk to Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium. He shares how the company is empowering the industry to reach a more sustainable future with the most accurate aircraft emissions data.

Cirium has a wealth of data that airlines can use today. Their highly-accurate Global Aircraft Emissions Monitor is a valuable starting point for any airline that wants to seriously plan emissions reduction – and, eventually, hit net zero. After all, without the data to measure current baselines, any effort to go green will be a shot in the dark.

We’ll also learn about the complex data set underlying the emissions calculator; how Cirium ensures their data is transparent, independent of bias and validated; why the future of corporate travel may include carbon budgets; and how one company switched a large corporate travel account from one airline to another based on carbon efficiency considerations.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with International Council on Clean Transportation’s Dan Rutherford on the data behind sustainability and the trajectory airlines and governments need to follow to get to net-zero emissions. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Cirium Sustainability

The On-Time Performance Review 2022 - Cirium

Global Aircraft Emissions Monitor – Cirium

The most accurate flight emissions data is now available via Cirium Sky - Cirium

Travel Smart Campaign

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eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) or ‘air taxis’ refer to aircraft that use electric power to take off and land vertically, and are particularly useful in urban areas afflicted with traffic congestion.

In this episode, we talk to Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation. He shares how the company focuses on designing and developing eVTOLs, which they believe will “unlock the skies” and enable everyone to reimagine how they live, travel and manage time.

Goldstein says these vehicles – which can carry four passengers and a pilot – will not only change the way people move but also allow people to get a lot of time back. “Imagine the trips that you've been taking in your car – it would take you 60, 90, even 120 minutes of sitting in traffic. But you could instead fly to your destination in five or 10 minutes”, he asserts. Such a future is actually closer than we think. Archer aims to get its aircraft certified by the end of 2024 and, along with its partner United Airlines, will begin commercial eVTOL flights in 2025.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with United Airlines’ Scott Kirby on how the airline is pushing the sustainability envelope. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Report: The Urban Air Mobility Power List - SimpliFlying

The underlying eVTOL technology - Archer

United Airlines' Future eVTOL Revealed: The Archer Midnight - Simple Flying

Archer Aviation plans to build 250 air taxis in 2025 - Reuters

Archer lands $1B order from United Airlines and a SPAC deal - TechCrunch

United partners with Archer to accelerate production of advanced eVTOL aircraft - Future Travel Experience

Archer Aviation Nears Completion of Its First Build, Midnight - Investing.com

Archer Aviation begins construction of manufacturing facility - Flight Global

Stellantis to mass produce Archer’s electric aircraft in expanded deal - TechCrunch

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As the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, Airbus is in a unique position to drive aviation towards a zero-emission future.

In this episode, we talk to Amanda Simpson, Vice President for Research & Technology (Americas) at Airbus. She shares how the airframer is at the forefront of investing in new technologies and innovations that pioneer the sustainability spirit, chief among them being hydrogen.

Simpson says that over the past decade Airbus has tried a variety of different technologies and the company now firmly believes that hydrogen has the potential to offer a true clean fuel solution. We’ll learn about Airbus’ marquee ZEROe programme that includes as many as three concept aircraft of varying ranges and capacities that will run on hydrogen and could enter service by 2035. We’ll also learn about the role of sustainable aviation fuel, infrastructure challenges with hydrogen, the necessity of clean-sheet design and why hydrogen is more exciting than hydrogen-electric and all-electric designs.

If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversations we had with WIZZ Air’s Yvonne Moynihan on how the airline is using the latest Airbus aircraft to reduce emissions. Check it out here.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Airbus ZEROe programme

The ZEROe demonstrator - Airbus

Interview with John-Paul Clarke, Co-Founder of Universal Hydrogen - Sustainability in the Air

Interview with Val Miftakhov, CEO of ZeroAvia - Sustainability in the Air

Universal Hydrogen takes to the air with the largest hydrogen fuel cell ever to fly - TechCrunch

Airbus prepares for its first megawatt-class hydrogen fuel-cell engine flight-test demonstrator

Hydrogen for aircraft: number crunching the solution, or the hoax - Hydrogen Science Coalition

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Did you know that Air Company is using thin air to make sustainable aviation fuel, vodka, perfume, sanitiser and more?

In this episode, we talk to Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Company, who believes that the path to a sustainable future lies – quite literally – in the air. He shares how the company uses the planet’s most abundant pollutant and turns it into a never-ending resource.

We’ll learn how Air Company’s patented carbon utilisation technology aims to free us from over a century-long dependency on fossil fuels by mimicking photosynthesis to utilise CO2 to produce sustainable alcohols and fuel. Their goal is to apply their technology across all possible industries: from the fragrances we wear everyday, to the jet fuel that moves us around the world.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Carbon Capture Technology: CO2 Conversion & Utilization - Air Company

Air Vodka: The 100 Best Inventions of 2020 - TIME

TAKE-OFF Consortium EU

Air Company Awarded Additional NASA Funding

This jet fuel was made by sucking carbon out of the air - Fast Company

Report: The Carbon Removal Power List - SimpliFlying

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Since aviation remains, more or less, as good as its tools, aircraft manufacturers bear a huge responsibility, especially as we rely on fleet renewal in the short-term to mitigate the carbon impact of aviation.

In this episode, we talk to Boeing’s Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, Sheila Remes who shares how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation towards its 2050 net zero goal.

We’ll learn how Boeing has been busy preparing for the future, whether it is through its ecoDemonstrator flight test program or its dynamic data-model called Cascade for estimating a pathway to net zero or through its impressive repertoire of cross-sectoral partnerships.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainable aircraft from NASA, Boeing could fly in 2030s

Boeing Sugar Volt looks to the skies in the year 2035

Boeing: ecoDemonstrator

Net-Zero Reached? Virgin Atlantic Plans A 100% SAF Passenger Flight Next Year

Biofuel-powered, laser-loaded Boeing plane of the future visits FedEx hub

Biochar: the 'black gold' for soils that is getting big bets on offset markets

Boeing Unveils Model to Show Best Routes to Zero Carbon Future

Waypoint 2050

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Representing the interests of airports and airport operators across the world, Airports Council International (ACI World) fosters collective action within the industry. With nearly 712 members, and operations spanning 1,925 airports in 171 countries, ACI World contributes to the safety, security and sustainability of global aviation.

In this episode, we talk to ACI World’s Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira who explains how, as significant emitters of greenhouse gases, airports play a pivotal role in aviation’s journey to net zero.

On average, airports account for roughly 5% of aviation’s carbon footprint. Airports have varying carbon footprints due to their geographical, cultural and economic intricacies. This, as Luis Felipe puts it, makes each airport a mystery that needs to be understood and unlocked in its specific context.

We'll learn about how ACI World is nudging airports to be more sustainable through their six-level carbon accreditation programme; the promise and pitfalls of hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel; the solar energy and green building ecosystem; and the need for the industry to communicate its achievements and challenges as one cohesive unit.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

The Airport Carbon Accreditation Programme

List of Accredited Airports

Airport Carbon and Emissions Reporting Tool (ACERT)

Swedavia Annual Sustainability Report 2021

Shining a Light on Solar Energy

ACI & ATI launch joint report into the integration of hydrogen aircraft into the air transport system

ATI & ACI World launch new SAF paper

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Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has taken the ultra low-cost model a step further to pursue growth and sustainability in tandem.

In this episode, we talk to Wizz Air Group’s Chief Corporate & ESG Officer, Yvonne Moynihan, about how the carrier has reduced its per seat carbon footprint by 15% since 2019, despite having grown by a remarkable 140% since the pandemic!

We'll learn about why fleet renewal can help airlines achieve significant short-term emissions reduction and how Wizz Air focuses on young travellers and undertakes radical measures and advocacy to stay ahead of its competitors.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Wizz Air Confirms 75 Airbus A321neo Order

Wizz Air and OMV sign an agreement to supply sustainable aviation fuel

Wizz And Airbus To Collaborate On Hydrogen Aircraft Operations

Wizz Air CEO Calls For Global Ban On Business Class Flying

Wizz Air joins European Commission’s Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation

Cirium's Global Aircraft Emissions Monitor

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Dubai International Airport is one of the largest in the world, so reducing its environmental impact is not an easy feat. In this episode we talk to CEO Paul Griffiths about his brilliant approach of focusing relentlessly on constant improvement, no matter how small.

We'll learn about maintaining a net zero trajectory, working with airlines and Paul's personal commitment to living a net zero life.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content about sustainable aviation visit our website simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Dubai Airports - Corporate Social Responsibility

Dubai Airports to divert 60% DXB’s waste from landfills by mid-2023Dubai International Airport sets goal to reduce landfill waste by 60 per centCirium's Global Aircraft Emissions Monitor

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Dirk Singer, Head of Sustainability at SimpliFlying shares how airlines can tackle climate activism and flight shaming while investing in sustainable initiatives.

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Matthias Niederhäuser shares how Diamondo Earthrounding connects and promotes initiatives to accelerate sustainable aviation.

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Dr Mark Hiller, CEO at Recaro, discusses the company's localisation strategy, the promise of eLeather, upcycling and much more.

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Ramon Sanchez, Principal Investigator at Harvard University urges the industry to work with academia for better sustainability strategies and explains why waiting for SAF to be cheaper is a "lousy strategy".

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Christoph Wolff, one of the founders of the World Economic Forum's Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition, explains why SAF underpins the long-term sustainability prospects for aviation.

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Nora Lovell Marchant, Vice President of Global Sustainability at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), shares how the company is preparing for a net zero future through various initiatives.

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Val Miftakhov, CEO of ZeroAvia, a startup working on hydrogen propulsion technology, discusses how the best path to a net zero future is via non-combustion fuel technologies.

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Andre Viljoen, CEO of Fiji Airways discusses the challenges of being in an ecologically sensitive region and how that ties into the airline's sustainability strategy.

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Anders Forslund, CEO of Heart Aerospace discusses the ES-30 and how regional electric air travel can revolutionise aviation.

For more information click on sustainabilityintheair.com.

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Jeffrey Goh, CEO of Star Alliance, shares how the alliance is supporting airlines in stepping up their sustainability game.

For more information click on sustainabilityintheair.com.

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Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, on the revival of supersonics, associated challenges, using 100% SAF and learning from the Concorde.

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In this special episode recorded Live at Farnborough Airshow, hear from top aviation executives on what gives them the most hope about a net zero future for aviation and what is the one initiative that they are most excited about getting us to a sustainable future.

Sean Breadshaw, Pratt & Whitney
Arturo Barreira, Airbus Latin America
Jane Ashton, easyJet
Jonathan Wood, Neste
Laia Barbara, WEF
Lauren Riley, United
Nicolas Chrétien, Airbus
Patrick Baudis, MHI RJ
Sheila Remes, Boeing

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In this special episode recorded Live at Farnborough Airshow, hear from top aviation executives on the biggest hurdles the industry faces in building a sustainable future.

Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways
Arturo Barreira, Airbus Latin America
Jane Ashton, easyJet
Jonathan Wood, Neste
Laia Barbara, WEF
Lauren Riley, United
Nicolas Chrétien, Airbus
Patrick Baudis, MHI RJ
Sheila Remes, Boeing

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We revisit the first season of our podcast and string together advice and insights from airline and tech CEOs to map out a pathway for the future of sustainability in aviation.

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The International Council on Clean Transportation’s Program Director discusses the challenges and concerns associated with SAF, supersonic aircraft, and what makes him hopeful about the future of aviation.

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Graham Webb on the future of airplane engines, P&W’s holistic approach to sustainability, disruptive technologies, and the role of efficient engines in reducing carbon emissions.

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Greg McDougall discusses early adoption of technology, flying the world’s first fully-electric commercial airplane and the electric Beaver.

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Dr Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo, deep dives into using alternative feedstock, blockchain technology and building trust through transparency.

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JetBlue Technology Ventures is unique because it's a corporate venture fund owned by an airline with a mission to further the goals of the entire industry - none of which is more important today than a net-zero future. Amy Burr dives deep into how she and her team are identifying technologies that will make flying greener and perhaps magical too.

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Co-Founder of Universal Hydrogen John-Paul Clark dives deep into how hydrogen is a strong medium term solution.

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The United CEO has committed to twice as much SAF as the rest of the world’s airlines combined, has invested in multiple green technology startups and is personally motivated to leave the world a better place for his seven kids. We deep dive in this engaging conversation.

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CarbonClick CEO Dave Rouse and COO Michelle Noordermeer share how radical transparency helped them deliver market leading carbon offsetting programs to top airlines. They open up about the mistrust around planting trees and how it can be overcome. Finally, they share innovations in the field that make carbon offsetting possibly one of the only effective and scalable methods achieving carbon neutral flight today.

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Welcome to the first episode of Sustainability In The Air podcast. We launch the podcast on Earth Day 2022 with the discussion between Shashank Nigam, CEO at SimpliFlying and Tony Douglas, Group CEO at Etihad Aviation Group.

Going forward, trust will require airlines, airports and the entire industry to share how to build a sustainable future. No airline is doing as much as Etihad Airways when it comes to taking measures proactively on sustainability and also communicating about them. In the interview, Tony shares with us the journey of sustainability that Etihad has been on, including the stories of The Sustainable 50 aircraft, why he's betting on carbon offsetting as an immediate solution and the launch of the world's first green loyalty program.

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Welcome to Sustainability in The Air, the world’s first podcast dedicated to sustainable aviation. The show is brought to you by SimpliFlying, the world’s leading aviation marketing strategy firm.

The realm of sustainable aviation is going through a phase of rapid development - from new technologies to sustainable aviation fuel. Airline, airport and travel executives often struggle to make sense of what seems to be a wild-West scenario.

It's about time someone took the leadership to help make sense and guide the industry toward best practices for getting to net zero.

Sustainability In The Air: Recent Episodes

SimpliFlying