Airbus, ACI World strengthen cooperation to decarbonise aviation
Alliance will address areas including SAF, hydrogen technologies, operations efficiency and noise management practices
(From left): Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General & CEO, ACI World and Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus signing the cooperation agreement.
Airbus and Airports Council International (ACI) World signed a cooperation agreement to support the industry’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of aviation.
The alliance will address key areas including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), hydrogen technologies, advanced air mobility, operations efficiency and aircraft noise management practices, says an official release from Airbus.
"It will foster the exchange of information and perspectives on low carbon operations, communicate industry progress, jointly develop guidance materials, and potentially formulate unified positions on policies and standards to achieve the industry targets."
Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer, Airbus says: "This partnership marks a significant step in our collective efforts to reduce aviation's environmental impact. 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 decarbonisation targets and enhancing the sustainability of the global aviation sector."
Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General and CEO, ACI World adds: "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 maximise the socio-economic benefits of air travel. By focusing on key areas such as SAF, 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 the successful partnership between Airbus and ACI Europe, which began two years ago and which has significantly strengthened the relationship by working together on the deployment of alternative energies including hydrogen and SAF within European alliances, sharing technical data with European airports and communicating progress at key industry events, the release added. As of May 2024, ACI serves 814 members, operating 2110 airports in 169 countries.
