Driving Sustainable Aviation in Spain: The Path to European Leadership
Key Ideas
- Iberia and industry leaders discuss the future of sustainable aviation in Spain, focusing on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a key tool to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- Challenges highlighted include the high cost of SAF compared to fossil fuels and the need for increased production to reduce prices and ensure affordability for consumers.
- The round table emphasizes the importance of political will and collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of SAF and drive Spain towards becoming a European leader in sustainable aviation.
- Opinions vary on the feasibility of long-haul electric or hydrogen-powered flights in the near future, with a consensus that immediate focus should be on making SAF more accessible and cost-effective.
IFEMA Madrid, in collaboration with Smobhub, hosted a Global Mobility Call to address the status quo of air mobility, with a specific focus on sustainable aviation. The event featured a round table discussion centered on the report 'How to make Spain the European leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)'. Industry experts such as Juan Cierco from Iberia, Domingo Ureña Raso of Mym Group, and representatives from various organizations deliberated on the future of sustainable aviation and the challenges posed by the energy transition in the sector.
During the discussions, it was acknowledged that achieving decarbonization in aviation will require a significant reduction in carbon emissions. However, the feasibility of electric or hydrogen-powered long-haul flights was deemed unrealistic in the short term. The focus shifted towards the essential role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% and potentially reaching 100% with the introduction of synthetic SAF.
The round table participants emphasized the necessity of making SAF more affordable, as the current cost is substantially higher than traditional fossil fuels. Collaboration with governmental bodies was highlighted as crucial to accelerate SAF production and drive down costs. Reference was made to a report by the Ministry of Science revealing Spain's significant untapped potential in biomass production, a key resource for SAF.
Iberia reiterated the importance of political will and industry commitment in scaling up SAF production to ensure its economic viability without burdening consumers with higher ticket prices. The overarching sentiment of the discussion was positive, emphasizing the potential for Spain to lead in sustainable aviation with concerted efforts and strategic partnerships.
Topics
Policy
Aviation
Renewable Energy
Innovation
Aviation Industry
Sustainability
Carbon Emissions
Energy Transition
Airline Sector
Latest News