With UK elections due to take place this year, industry coalition Sustainable Aviation has launched a manifesto that calls on the next government to accelerate policy action on the transition to net zero aviation. Specifically, it sets out how the incoming government can ensure the UK is world-leading in sustainable aviation through becoming an early mover on SAF production and supply, strengthening aerospace technology innovation and accelerating airspace modernisation. The industry group represents airlines, airports, manufacturers, air navigation service providers and fuel producers. The government has just announced £200 million ($250m) in joint public/industry investment for energy efficient aircraft while the UK CAA has selected three companies for the government funded Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox. Elsewhere, SAF startup Avioxx has raised new investment towards developing a UK SAF production plant.

Top of the industry’s wish list for the new government is action to deliver commercial UK SAF production at scale this decade with at least five UK SAF plants under construction in 2025. Sustainable Aviation’s roadmap for the UK aviation sector to reach net zero by 2050 shows that of all the mitigation measures available, SAF will have by far the largest influence on achieving the goal, accounting for 39% of 2050 total unabated emissions.

The cross-sector group calls for an accelerated timetable to deliver a government-backed SAF revenue support mechanism through the introduction of primary legislation in the early months of the new parliament. This would be a catalyst to establish a pipeline of investment for SAF production of second-generation advanced SAF ahead of power-to-liquid SAF in the medium to long term, it says. To ensure aviation has a fair share of sustainable feedstocks for second-generation SAF, regulations should be amended to ensure SAF is prioritised as an energy recovery pathway for waste, it recommends.

The industry manifesto also calls for government support for long-term R&D on aerospace innovation to provide the UK with a competitive advantage in aviation efficiency and the commercialisation of new technologies, including hydrogen. In order to meet the net zero by 2050 objective, capacity should be secured to meet the required renewable energy to produce renewable fuels for the industry. The roll-out of carbon removal and carbon capture and storage technology should also be accelerated to mitigate residual aviation carbon emissions by including carbon removals in the UK ETS scheme “and ensuring aviation’s fair share”.

Commented Matt Gorman, Chair of Sustainable Aviation and Heathrow Airport’s Sustainability Director: “Our transition to net zero flight will not only safeguard and grow aviation’s contribution to the UK economy but also create thousands of new jobs. By leveraging our existing strengths as an aviation nation, we can lead the world in green aviation technology.”

The manifesto was launched at an event in Parliament attended by Aviation Minister Anthony Browne and the opposition Labour Party’s Shadow Minister for Industry and Decarbonisation, Sarah Jones.

The final details of the UK SAF mandate legislation, due to be in force during 2025, are expected to be published by the government very soon.

This month, the UK government announced almost £200 million of joint government and industry funding for aerospace R&D projects to support the development of energy efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technology towards the transition to net zero. This includes £40 million for a project by Marshall Group to develop zero-carbon engine technology and £96 million investment in Airbus-led projects developing more efficient wing designs.

Funding for these projects will be delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI). It was also confirmed that the £975 million in aerospace funding over the five years from 2025, announced late last year, will be allocated to the ATI programme. The programme has facilitated over £3.6 billion of joint government and industry R&D investment to date.

Meanwhile, the UK Civil Aviation Authority has selected Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, Exeter Airport Consortium and ZeroAvia for its Hydrogen Challenge Sandbox, an initiative to increase industry and regulatory readiness for the introduction of hydrogen fuel and new technologies. The challenge was launched in November with grant-based funding of £940,000 from the Regulators’ Pioneer Fund, which is overseen by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and runs for an initial period until February 2025.

Cranfield Aerospace Solutions is developing a hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain to be applied to aircraft and aims to conduct ground testing and flight trials this year. The CAA will work with the company on identifying hazards, risks and safety challenges associated with its project.

ZeroAvia, which is also developing hydrogen-electric engines and already flying a prototype system in a Dornier 228 testbed under a UK CAA Permit to Fly, will work with the regulator to identify hazards, risks and safety challenges associated with the retrofitting of a hydrogen-electric powertrain.

A study by Regional & City Airports, TUI, hydrogen technology developer ULEMCo and Cranfield University is looking at reducing the environmental impact of aircraft turnarounds at Exeter Airport. Through the challenge, Consortium members and the regulatory authority will review and provide feedback on safety cases, test plans and risk assessments, and ultimately inform the development of guidance material and regulations for the future.

“Working with the three selected companies will enable us to take a step closer towards a net zero aviation sector by supporting the industry to explore how feasible the introduction of hydrogen is and how we can make sure regulation develops with the technology and is fit for purpose,” said Tim Johnson, Director of Strategy and Policy at the UK CAA.

In other UK news, SAF developer startup Avioxx has successfully closed a pre-series A funding round led by UK travel company Trailfinders. The undisclosed capital investment, said Avioxx, will bolster its R&D efforts and expand market reach, design and regulatory approval of a first 5,000 tonne per year SAF production plant. The company aims to deliver a full-scale 32,000 tonne-per-year plant by 2027. Its patented system, which transforms waste destined for incineration or landfill, aims to deliver SAF at price parity with fossil-based jet fuel through the incorporation of solid oxide fuel cells to the manufacturing process.

“We’ve rapidly prepared Avioxx for a pre-series A round and our partnership with Trailfinders is ideal to support the delivery of our vision,” commented CEO Chris Hancock. “Trailfinders can offer much more than capital with access to their established networks within the travel community and experience. We’re thrilled to accelerate the development of the business and delivery of our initial operational SAF plant is now much closer.”

Further rounds of funding will be announced later in the year for the development and construction phase of the initial plant planned for the northwest of the UK.

Photo: Heathrow Airport

Christopher Surgenor

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Aciturri, a major European aerostructures and engine components producer, has become the latest investor in Dovetail Electric Aviation, an emerging Australian developer of both battery-electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for regional airliners. Aciturri is a significant supplier to major aerospace companies including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Deutsche Aircraft, Safran, Rolls-Royce, Daher and air taxi manufacturer Lilium. As lead investor in Dovetail’s seed investment round, tranche 2, it elevates the Australian company’s international profile and manufacturing capabilities, ahead of the planned first flight early next year of a battery-electric Cessna Caravan seaplane, as it targets 2026 certification. Dovetail also plans to convert a Beechcraft King Air commuter plane to hydrogen-electric propulsion during 2025.

Dovetail, a partnership between Spanish aerospace company Dante and tourist airline Sydney Seaplanes, said Aciturri would become both a key industrial partner and lead investor, but did not disclose the scale or timing of the investment.

Dovetail is seeking $7 million to progress its zero-emission propulsion systems, having already secured investments from companies including Australian airline operator Regional Express (Rex), Spanish carriers Volotea and Air Nostrum, and Australia-based climate solution accelerator EnergyLab in its first round of seed funding. Aciturri is leading the second round of funding, which will close shortly, with Dovetail expecting additional backing from at least one institutional venture capital fund.

“Aciturri’s involvement brings not only financial support but also significant capabilities that will greatly enhance our technology roadmap and accelerate our path to market,” said Dovetail CEO David Doral. “Their track record and expertise in high technology aerostructures and engine parts will add immense value to our operations, helping us bring our innovative solutions to market faster and more efficiently.” 

The testbed Cessna Caravan due to fly electrically next year will be from the fleet of partner company Sydney Seaplanes, while the King Air for hydrogen-electric trials will come from the fleet of Rex sibling Pel-Air. Based on this trial, Rex also plans to retrofit a hydrogen-electric powertrain into one of the 52 Saab 340 commuter planes it operates on regional routes throughout Australia.

Rex operates the world’s largest fleet of the type, for which there is currently no equivalent-size replacement, and has signalled that, once certified, the hydrogen-electric powertrain could be retrofitted onto more of its Saabs.

Aciturri operates two business streams from multiple facilities in Spain, Portugal, France, Morocco and Brazil, employing 2,900 people in the design, manufacture and assembly of key aerostructures including wings, fuselages, empennage and fairings, and the production of engine components including primary structures, casings and rings, and high precision machining.   

“This partnership represents a significant opportunity to drive innovation in the aviation industry and broaden our contribution to a more sustainable future,” said Alvaro Fernandez Baragaño, CEO of Aciturri Aeroengines and the group’s chief diversification officer.

Dovetail has already secured orders and options valued at more than $160 million for its zero emission conversion kits from customers including UK-based MONTE Aircraft Leasing, which specialises in fleets to serve sub-regional markets and focused on financing and leasing solutions for zero and low emissions technology. It has announced its intention to buy up to 50 powertrains from Dovetail, a mix of battery-electric models to power new or retrofitted Cessna Caravans and hydrogen-electric conversion kits for Beechcraft King Air models.

MONTE will become the preferred financing provider for aircraft converted to Dovetail’s propulsion systems.

In a separate Australian partnership, MONTE has partnered with UK-based Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAes) and Cairns-based operator Torres Strait Air to convert up to 10 Britten-Norman Islander aircraft to hydrogen-electric propulsion for services between Horn Island and 20 short-haul destinations, many of them indigenous communities in the nation’s remote far north.

The airline, which had previously signed a letter of intent to acquire 10 new conventionally-powered Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, will source financing from MONTE to convert the planes zero emission propulsion. The lessor previously committed to acquire 40 conversion kits from CAeS to modify Islander aircraft.

Photo: Sydney Seaplanes Cessna Caravan in Dovetail livery

Tony Harrington

Correspondent

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