Sustainability, Innovation, and COVID Recovery Take Center Stage Farnborough at 2022

2022 Farnborough International Airshow’s top story was probably the near-record heat during the event, but three other themes reigned throughout the event: sustainability, innovation, and the global aviation industry’s COVID recovery.

In an ironic juxtaposition of the record high temperatures, evidence of ongoing climate change, sustainability was in focus as airlines ordered aircraft featuring more efficient fuel use and lower carbon emissions compared to previous generation aircraft. Although aviation as a whole only contributes less than 3% of the world’s global carbon emissions, airlines and aircraft manufacturers also focused on increased availability and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Innovation was another theme at Farnborough, in many cases as part of the industry’s sustainability efforts, as advanced air mobility (AAM) and related announcements abounded as Joby Aviation announced it has formally applied for its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) to be certified in the U.K. Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce and Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to collaborate to bring all-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel cell technology to AAM.

3D printed production of parts for products ranging from military aircraft to rockets to civil aircraft was highlighted. Typically these parts weigh a fraction of traditionally manufactured parts, creating fuel efficiencies and lower carbon emissions.

Supersonic technology was also exhibited, with aircraft manufacturer Boom announcing its Overture will fly at Mach 1.7 over water with a range of 4250 NM. United Airlines has an Overture order on record and the airline says it will power the aircraft with SAF.

The aviation industry’s global recovery from the COVID-19 crisis was also on display, even as new variants impact different regions of the world, with airlines betting on the future of travel and placing significant orders. For U.S.-based operators, Delta placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 Max jets to the tune of about $13.5 billion.

Next year, Farnborough takes a break while the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Parc des Expositions returns after a COVID-driven cancellation in 2021.