Aerospace

PM sets sights on world’s first zero emission long haul plane

Posted 30 June 2020

In a speech given on the economy in Dudley today, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK should set out to become the producer of the world’s first zero emission long haul passenger plane.

Above: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Courtesy gov.uk

The Prime Minister said: "As part of our mission to reach Net Zero CO2 emissions by 2050, we should set ourselves the goal now of producing the world’s first zero emission long haul passenger plane."

Following today’s speech by the PM around post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the setting of the goal of producing the world’s first net zero long haul passenger plane jet zero, ADS Chief Executive Paul Everitt said: “Today’s speech from the Prime Minister is a welcome acknowledgement of the skills and expertise the UK’s aerospace sector provides.

"Now the Government needs to extend funding of the Aerospace Technology Institute out to 2036 to enable us to deliver the goal and make the UK a world leader in hybrid and electric aircraft.

“Alongside boosting investment in aerospace innovation, Government should establish a long-term investment fund for our supply chains, use procurement opportunities to maximise prosperity from defence and space projects, provide targeted resources for the UK’s security and resilience sector and ensure direct support to safeguard jobs and skills.”

Chair of Sustainable Aviation, Adam Morton, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition to develop the world’s first zero emission long-haul passenger plane, building on the recent announcement to form a Jet Zero Council.

“As our Decarbonisation Road-Map set out earlier this year, the adoption of newer, more efficient aircraft using sustainable fuels can help the industry realise these ambitions. Given the critical role Sustainable Aviation Fuels have in this journey, we urge the Government to support the rapid commercialisation of the first few production facilities.”