In Illinois, the Air Transport Action Group released the latest edition of its Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders report, which provides an in-depth look at the economic and social contributions of the global aviation sector and how it connects a globalised world.
The report outlines the activity underway across the aviation sector as it works towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The whole industry is committed to scaling up the production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). In 2023, the aviation industry used 500,000 tonnes of SAF, double the amount compared to 2022.
When compared with conventional fuels, today’s SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 80% over their lifecycle. To achieve the net-zero target, aviation will require around 490 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2050, with projected capital investments of $1.5 trillion needed over the next 30 years. Additionally, civil aerospace spends $15 billion annually on research to drive efficiency and support new technologies that will further reduce emissions.
Haldane Dodd, Executive Director, ATAG said: “This report pays tribute to the spirit of the Chicago Convention, which has enabled connectivity across the world, supporting livelihoods and driving global growth. Eighty years later, aviation continues to link people and cultures while fostering international cooperation. Since 1944, more than 98 billion passenger journeys have been made. Last year alone, 4.4 billion passengers boarded 35.3 million commercial flights.
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