Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • PM sets sights on world’s first zero emission long haul plane

Aerospace

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

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT

"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.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

 


 

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

Aerospace

Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

18 May 2026

Analysis from aviation intelligence company IBA, has found that global aviation carbon intensity improved from 860 gCO₂ per revenue tonne-kilometre (RTK) in 2018 to 690 gCO₂/RTK by September 2025 - an efficiency improvement of 20% - but that flight activity growth is offsetting those operational gains.

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

Aerospace

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

18 May 2026

Architecture, engineering and consulting firm Egis has appointed Shakir Khaja as Aviation Sector Director for Europe and Africa, to oversee the firm’s expansion across the airport sector, with a strategic focus on the UK, Ireland and wider European market.

Stansted celebrates UK Airports Health & Safety Week

Aerospace Events

Stansted celebrates UK Airports Health & Safety Week

15 May 2026

Teams from right across London Stansted have come together this week to mark UK Airports Health & Safety Week 2026, with a wide ranging programme of events focused on keeping people safe at work and supporting health and wellbeing.

West of England residents back Bristol Airport expansion

Aerospace

West of England residents back Bristol Airport expansion

15 May 2026

A YouGov poll of people in the West of England has found that twice as many support the expansion of Bristol Airport’s capacity than oppose.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Iridium to acquire Aireon

Aerospace Space

Iridium to acquire Aireon

15 May 2026

Iridium Communications Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world's only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system, with the transaction unifying the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system with the satellite network it was ...

CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

Aerospace

CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

15 May 2026

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on a shortlist of regulatory models that could apply to capacity expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB