How Europe’s Clean Sky 2 programme has redefined the future of flight

Imagine a world where air travel leaves a lighter footprint on the planet – where planes glide quieter, emit fewer carbon emissions, and push the boundaries of efficiency without sacrificing performance. This vision is closer to reality than you might think, thanks to a ground-breaking European initiative that’s been quietly reshaping aviation over the past decade.

From 2014 to 2024, the Clean Sky 2 programme has united scientists, engineers, and industry leaders across Europe in a shared mission: to fast-track cutting-edge technologies that make flying cleaner, quieter, and more competitive. 

Clean Sky 2 tackled aviation’s toughest challenges, slashing CO2 and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, bringing down engine noise, and testing bold new aircraft designs – from revolutionary wing shapes to hybrid-electric propulsion systems. 

Clean Sky 2 was a testament to collaboration – with universities, startups, the giants of the aviation industry, as well as governments across Europe joining forces to turn bold ideas into tangible solutions. Fasten your seatbelts as we unpack how this decade-long effort is helping aviation chart a greener course – and why its impact could resonate far beyond Europe’s borders.

Backed by €1.7 billion in EU funding and involving over 5,000 scientists, engineers, and 1,000 organisations across 30 countries, this collaborative effort has delivered ground-breaking technologies to slash emissions, cut noise, and position Europe as a global leader in clean aviation.  

The European industrial ecosystem 

Clean Sky 2 wasn’t just about technology – it was a continent-wide team effort, testimony to our industry’s collaborative, diverse and innovative ecosystem. The programme had 16 founding members spearheading projects, including ASD members Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Safran, and Leonardo. 

In all, 327 SMEs and 151 universities were involved, reflecting the impact smaller players have in driving innovation in the European industrial ecosystem. 

The programme saw projects developed across Europe, with 18 EU regions, from Catalonia to Campania, signing agreements to fund local projects, creating jobs and expertise.  

What’s Next? Enter Clean Aviation

As Clean Sky 2 closes, a new follow-up programme, Clean Aviation is launched, with €4.1 billion in EU funding. This programme aims to:  

•    Halve emissions by 2030 for regional and short-haul flights.  
•    Integrate hydrogen and hybrid-electric propulsion (see Leonardo’s Next-Gen Tiltrotor, targeting entry into service by 2035).  
•    Scale up innovations like distributed electric propulsion, validated in scaled A320 flight tests.  

What Clean Sky 2 and Clean Aviation mean for you  

For travellers, these advances mean quieter, more efficient flights – and eventually, lower ticket prices as fuel costs drop. For the planet, they’re critical to hitting net-zero targets.

As Rosalinde van der Vlies, Clean Aviation’s Governing Board Chair, said: “Clean Sky 2 proves that collaboration can turn bold ideas into reality. The future of aviation isn’t just cleaner – it’s smarter, safer, and within reach.”