The Aviation Industry and the Stall in Aircraft Innovation - CleanTechnica

The article from CleanTechnica highlights a concerning stall in aircraft innovation that threatens the aviation industry’s ability to meet decarbonisation targets. Despite the critical need for more efficient and zero-emission aircraft to reduce the sector’s high emissions, major manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing have largely focused on incremental improvements, such as re-engined versions of existing models, rather than breakthrough technologies. Innovative projects have faced delays or pauses, and no new aircraft models are expected from these OEMs in the next decade. This slowdown is attributed to a lack of market competition and insufficient policy incentives pushing manufacturers toward radical innovation. Modeling presented in the article suggests that with ambitious but achievable innovation, European aviation could improve efficiency by up to 13% by 2050, potentially saving enough renewable electricity to power 27 million heat pumps. If manufacturers push further, efficiency gains could reach 17%, underscoring the significant role aircraft technology can play in meeting EU climate goals. To unlock this potential, the article recommends strengthening