Farnborough International Airshow 2022
The Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) made a welcome return in July after a four-year hiatus due to the global pandemic.
As record-breaking temperatures soared to a high of 40.2°C on day two, climate change and safeguarding the planet’s future were firmly at the top of the agenda, and key players were keen to promote their progress on the path to net zero.
Following a subdued Dubai Airshow last year, FIA 2022 was one of the first major airshows since the 2019 Paris Airshow, and anticipation was high. This year’s airshow witnessed 511 orders and commitments, down from almost 1,500 compared to the 2018 airshow. However, it is worth noting that the actual number of ‘firm orders’ this year is not as drastically different compared to previous airshows, with 2018 being a record year. Boeing came out on top in the annual battle of the major commercial manufacturers, and the 263 737 Max orders represent a comeback for the once grounded single-aisle jet.
Breakdown of Orders
Orders by Model
Climate Change remains a key focus
While this year’s FIA may have been light on order activity, everyone in attendance seized the opportunity to set out their sustainability stalls. Aviation accounts for 2.6% of current global emissions and 12% of transportation-related emissions. By 2050, Boeing predicts air travel will carry over 10 billion passengers per year, support 180 million jobs and generate nearly USD 9 trillion in economic activity.
The UK government used the show to launch its Jet Zero Strategy – a framework and plan for achieving net zero aviation by 2050 – and pledged that 2019 would be the peak year for aviation emissions.
Key policies include the mandate that at least 10% of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) be blended into traditional aviation fuels by 2030, an ambition to have a minimum of five commercial-scale SAF plants under construction in the UK by 2025, and the aim to make domestic aviation and airports net zero by 2040.
The government recognised that these measures require investing in pioneering projects and introduced the Advanced Fuels Fund, with a GBP 165m competition to stimulate commercial SAF production facilities in the UK. Alongside this, it also announced it was progressing to the next phase of its GBP1m competition to deliver the first ever net zero transatlantic flight powered by 100% SAF.
While climate campaigners were quick to criticise the government’s strategy, many in attendance warmly welcomed it; Manchester Airports Group Chief Executive Charlie Cornish called it “an important recognition by government of the commitments made by our industry for a more sustainable future”.
On the topic of sustainability, Boeing argued that it requires a “multi-faceted approach” and offers an opportunity for the aerospace industry to reduce carbon emissions while enabling people everywhere to travel and fly responsibly. The aerospace giant unveiled its Cascade data modelling tool, which it believes outlines the most effective paths to net zero by 2050. Cascade models the different routes to decarbonisation and considers four strategies:
• Airplane fleet renewal
• Renewable energy sources such as sustainable fuel, hydrogen, electric propulsion
• Operational efficiency improvements
• Advanced technologies
The tool also assesses the lifecycle impacts of renewable energy by accounting for the emissions required to produce, distribute, and use alternative energies like SAF. Boeing intends to use the tool with airline operators, industry partners, and policymakers to determine when, where, and how different fuel sources intersect with new aircraft design.
Rolls Royce hopes to prove that hydrogen can safely and efficiently deliver power for small to mid-size aircraft from the mid-2030s onwards. Its proof of concept programme will begin by operating an AE2100 engine on hydrogen in the UK, followed by a Pearl 15 engine in Stennis, Mississippi. Both tests will be confined to the ground, but there are plans to progress to hydrogen flight tests in the later stages of the programme.
Airbus announced a partnership with 1PointFive to bring carbon removals from direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS) technology to the aviation industry. According to Airbus, “a direct air capture facility acts like a large-scale, highly efficient tree: it sucks air out of the atmosphere and extracts the CO2 present there”. It has pre-purchased 100,000 tonnes of carbon removals per year over four years – or 400,000 tonnes in total – from 1PointFive as part of an initial offtake. Air Canada, Air France-KLM, the International Airline Group (IAG), the Lufthansa Group, LATAM Airlines Group, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic have all signed a letter of intent to partner with Airbus on the initiative.
This year’s airshow served as an opportunity for the industry to promote a united front on sustainability and for manufacturers to meet with suppliers and alleviate current and potential supply chain issues.
Another key theme for the show was innovation, and one sector at the forefront was advanced air mobility (AAM). Vertical Aerospace’s full-scale model of its electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the VX4, garnered much industry interest and is a firm indication that AAM’s ‘flying taxi’ is fast becoming a reality.
Collins Aerospace has produced a working prototype electric motor for Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander 10 airship, which will be fully electric by 2030. Collins confirmed it is working closely with Hybrid Air Vehicles and the University of Nottingham to develop new technologies that will advance the aviation industry’s efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
This year’s FIA marked a significant turning point for the aviation industry as it continues to recover from the pandemic’s damage. With the Russia/Ukraine conflict, rising inflation and continued insecurity over COVID-19, the future commercial landscape for aviation is still far from certain. Nevertheless, this year’s airshow served as an opportunity for the industry to promote a united front on sustainability and for manufacturers to meet with suppliers and alleviate current and potential supply chain issues.
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