The so-called traffic turnaround does not only mean sustainable mobility on the roads. The aviation industry must also reduce its emissions – and thus its negative impact on air quality and the environment. What will be the best green drive solution? E-fuels or fuel cells? Will environmental zones soon also regulate traffic in the air?
Having suffered a setback during the pandemic, the aviation sector is now under increasing pressure to significantly reduce its impact on air quality and climate. Flights are still considered to be harmful to the environment. And while one can speak of practicable alternatives to airplanes for short or even medium distances, such as for local and domestic flights, air travel will remain indispensable for long distances - probably for decades to come. So the question remains: How can the aviation industry be greener and reduce its carbon footprint? How can kerosene be replaced without having to develop new engines and technologies?
Hydrogen and e-fuels seem to have the best chance of being a promising propulsion alternative to conventional kerosene. After all, relying on electric power on the road is not an option in the air. In particular, synthetically produced fuels from renewable energy sources could bring aviation one step closer to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions. Unlike fuel cells, no expensive conversion of the aircraft engines is required here. The same also applies to bio-kerosene. Like e-fuels, the bio-fuel, made from sustainable raw materials, can also power the engines without any changes to the machine - and in the process reduce the carbon emissions associated with air travel.
However, high production costs and underdeveloped manufacturing facilities make it difficult for airlines to rely on such green solutions at present. In fact, the production of electric and biofuels is particularly expensive – almost twice as expensive as kerosene. However, it can be expected that with the start of mass production, the prices per liter for e-fuels and bio-kerosene will also fall. Different solutions are likely to be tested by airlines by then - depending on budget and resources - to get closer to the planned C02 reduction target.
How long will it be before air traffic deals with its climate-damaging emissions in a more environmentally conscious manner? Will environmental zones soon also be set up in the air? These could differentiate aircraft according to their emission potential and CO2 footprint - and thus regulate access to airspace based on emissions. What would this development mean for the aviation sector? It's still too early to tell. However, a growing number of airlines are collaborating with start-ups to develop fuels and propulsion technologies that could transform the future of aviation for the sake of the environment.