What to expect for Aviation Sustainability in 2025  

What to expect for Aviation Sustainability in 2025 –  The aviation industry’s strides toward increased sustainability are set to continue at full pace in a bid to reach the net-zero emission goal of 2050. But what specific changes could we possibly expect in 2025? Here are three sustainability milestones we will hopefully hit next year.  

Increased SAF production and adoption  

The European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation initiative set a target for 2% SAF usage in aviation across the EU by 2025. Similar adoption rates across the globe will need to be supported by expanded SAF production facilities to make sustainable aviation fuel more affordable and accessible internationally. The U.S. aims to produce 3 billion gallons of SAF annually by 2025, supported by federal policies. Hopefully other countries will be inspired by this, and we will see significant developments in SAF manufacturing throughout next year to meet growing demand.  

More hybrid and electric aircraft and equipment usage 

In recent years, the development of eVOTLs and hybrid aircraft has been nothing short of impressive. However, despite the incredible innovation, electric aircraft still hasn’t entered full-scale commercial service. My hope is that we will see this in 2025. We will certainly see further advancements in electric propulsion and hybrid-electric aircraft, with several prototypes and test flights expected to lead to commercial operations in short haul flights next year. We can also expect more airports and service providers to transition their ground handling equipment to electric or hybrid systems.  

Improved air traffic management  

Better air traffic management with the help of AI-powered flight planning and more collaborative ATM between countries has the potential to reduce delays, optimize flight routes, and enhance operator fuel efficiency; all key milestones for making aviation more sustainable. In Europe, the Single European Sky (SES) initiative aims to enhance air traffic management by 2025; let’s hope other regions are inspired to do the same!   

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