Airbus and ACI World announce 'green' partnership to reduce aviation's environmental impact
FARNBOROUGH, U.K. - Aerospace giant Airbus in Toulouse, France, and global aviation consortium Airports Council International (ACI) World announced that the two entities would be teaming up to support the industry’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. This announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. ACI World represents more than 2,100 airports in nearly 170 countries.
Airbus and ACI World have announced an alliance to address sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), hydrogen technologies, advanced air mobility, operational efficiency, and aircraft noise management. The partnership aims to share information on low-carbon operations, track industry progress, develop guidance materials, and potentially create unified policies and standards to meet industry targets.
“This partnership marks a significant step in our collective efforts to reduce aviation's environmental impact,” said Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer. “By combining our technological expertise with ACI World’s vast network and operational insights, we aim to influence policies and standards that support sustainable aviation and drive industry-wide innovation. Together, we can create a cohesive and aligned approach to achieving our decarbonization targets and enhancing the sustainability of the global aviation sector.”
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ACI World Director General and CEO Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “Airbus and ACI World’s groundbreaking cooperation agreement marks a pivotal step in our journey towards a net-zero carbon aviation industry. This strategic alliance underscores the unwavering commitment of airports worldwide to sustainable aviation, ensuring that we not only reduce our environmental impact but also maximize the socio-economic benefits of air travel. By focusing on key areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels, hydrogen technologies, advanced air mobility, operational efficiency, and aircraft noise management, we are setting new benchmarks for sustainability in aviation, and paving the way for a greener future.”
The collaboration builds on a two-year partnership between Airbus and ACI EUROPE, which has focused on deploying alternative energies such as hydrogen and SAF within European alliances, sharing technical data with European airports, and communicating progress at industry events. The expansion to a global scale highlights the importance of integrated efforts between aircraft manufacturers and airport operators worldwide.
