Five noteworthy aviation sustainability developments in the past seven days curated by the Ishka SAVi team.
Here are the new developments to keep in mind:
1. Japanese strategy calls for mid-2030s domestically-produced hydrogen aircraft - The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has published (link in Japanese) a new strategic plan for the country’s aircraft industry to commercialise a “next-generation passenger aircraft from 2035 onwards” with “decarbonised” propulsion “such as hybrid and hydrogen engines.” The strategy follows the definitive cancellation almost one year ago of the Mitsubishi SpaceJet programme, Japan’s first domestically produced jet airliner. A meeting took place on 27th March between industry leaders and METI officials to unveil the strategy. An NHK report (link in Japanese) following the meeting details that “the government should consider financial support” for this future aircraft programme. The strategy also examines the circumstances behind Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' withdrawal from the development of the SpaceJet.
2. P&W to collaborate with FAA in measuring GTF’s non-CO2 emissions – Pratt & Whitney announced on 21st March that it will work together with the two federal agencies (the FAA and the EPA) and other research institutions to measure emissions from a P&W GTF engine combustor using both fossil Jet A and 100% HEFA SAF. The test, which will be part of the FAA’s ASCENT programme, will measure among other metrics cruise non-volatile particulate matter and NOx. The rig tests will take place at Pratt & Whitney's facility in Middletown, Connecticut using an advanced Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) combustor. The rig allows testing of the full range of combustor operating conditions, including at take-off, ground, and cruise altitudes. Ishka notes that research in 2023 using EASA and ICAO data revealed higher particle matter (nvPM) emissions from the GTF engine than its CFM LEAP rival. Higher nvPM emissions can lead to a higher formation of contrails at high altitudes, including persistent warming contrails with adverse climate effects.
3. Air New Zealand’s search for SAF makes a splash in Malaysia - Air New Zealand on 19th March launched a “global open invitation” to SAF innovators and start-ups to become a supply partner to the airline as it seeks to achieve an industry-leading total 20% SAF uptake by 2030. The airline’s opportunity statement provides an overview of Air New Zealand's SAF requirements based on its network, fleet, sustainability targets and criteria. Since its publication, Ishka notes the airline’s statement has been covered in major Malaysian news media, with stories featuring revised quotes alluding to the country’s SAF potential. While Ishka could not verify the veracity of the quotes in Malaysian media, the interest sparked by Air New Zealand’s announcement may be an embodiment of the country’s aspiration to become a major SAF feedstock supplier – including of palm oil, a HEFA SAF biological feedstock mired in environmental controversy.
4. Cathay Pacific sets target for 12% emissions intensity reduction by 2030 - Cathay Pacific on 25th March announced it is setting a new target to improve its carbon intensity by 12% from the 2019 level by 2030. “This move reinforces Cathay's aspiration to be at the forefront of sustainability leadership and will support its overarching goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” the airline says in its announcement. The airline is targeting fuel use per revenue tonne kilometre (RTK) from 761 gCO2/RTK to 670 gCO2/RTK. The announcement of a 2030 carbon intensity target is not unusual for a large airline like Cathay Pacific (at least 20 other major international airlines have similar targets) but it cements this trend in Asia-Pacific where so far only a select few airlines have announced targets. The -12% reduction, however, is notably lower than regional rivals like Air New Zealand (-28.9%) or Japan Airlines, which is targeting a reduction in total emissions (not intensity) of 10% by 2030 versus 2019 levels.
5. ZeroAvia gets Japanese sales partner in ITOCHU – ZeroAvia announced on 22nd March it has appointed ITOCHU Corporation, which also has a leasing business, to act as its primary sales representative in Japan for its hydrogen-electric engines for aircraft. The announcement says ITOCHU will “leverage its extensive industry network” and seek opportunities with Japanese airline operators and local infrastructure providers. ITOCHU Corporation offers a wide variety of aircraft and engine financing services.
