Keynote address at AED Days: highlighting sustainable aviation initiatives

Last week, ASD Civil Aviation Director, Vincent De Vroey gave a keynote speech on sustainable aviation at AED Days 2024, organised by ASD member AED, the Portuguese Aerospace & Defence Association Cluster. Vincent’s speech highlighted European industry initiatives and efforts towards climate-neutral aviation at European and global levels. 

AED Days brings together the Portuguese Aeronautics, Space and Defence ecosystem together with major international players within these industries to discuss the present and future challenges of these sectors – not least, climate-neutral aviation.

The European aviation industry is adapting to meet the challenge how how to reduce its environmental impact and achieve climate neutrality, and the industry is committed to reaching net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This plan – Destination 2050 – commits to net-zero emissions from all flights within and departing from the EU, UK, and EFTA regions by 2050.

The Destination 2050 plan rests on four key areas: developing more efficient aircraft and engines; sustainable aviation fuels; economic strategies that lead to reduced emissions; and air traffic management and aircraft operations to improve fuel efficiency.