The UK Government has unveiled a significant £43 million funding injection to accelerate the development of green aviation technologies.
The investment is designed to drive economic growth, create high-skilled jobs, and move the aviation sector closer to its “Jet Zero” target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The primary focus of the £43m funding is to support research and development projects that tackle the environmental impact of flight.
This includes advancing zero-emission aircraft and producing low-carbon fuels. A key area of research will also investigate ways to eliminate climate-warming water vapour trails produced by aircraft, which represent a significant but often overlooked portion of aviation’s climate impact.
Fuelling economic growth and job creation
Government officials emphasised that this public investment is intended to unlock millions of pounds of private-sector capital.
The production of low-carbon fuels alone is projected to contribute up to £5bn to the UK economy by 2050.
By backing British businesses and universities, the government aims to position the UK as a global leader in green aviation, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs in technology development and scientific research.
Supporting sustainable airport expansion
The investment comes as the government moves forward with plans to expand major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “We’re backing UK businesses by powering up green aviation. Our £43m investment will deliver the cutting-edge technology of the future, grow the economy and support highly skilled jobs as part of our mission to deliver national renewal.
“Zero-emission aircraft, hydrogen fuels and other emerging technologies are vital to reduce the climate impacts from flying and will enable us to deliver our airport expansion plans to boost connectivity and grow the economy.”
Strengthening global leadership and regulation
As part of the initiative, the Civil Aviation Authority will receive support to develop the regulatory frameworks necessary for the safe and widespread use of hydrogen fuel.
Furthermore, a portion of the funding is earmarked for international collaboration, specifically to help regions such as Africa and the Caribbean track and use sustainable fuels.
This international outreach is intended to ensure a level playing field for UK airlines while promoting global aviation decarbonisation.
Accelerating SAF production to enhance green aviation
In further support for the sector, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, coming into force later this year, will provide long-term certainty for the SAF market by guaranteeing a set price for UK producers, helping the UK meet its climate targets.
This is backed by an additional £63m to accelerate the construction of new SAF production plants, alongside £2.3bn through the Aerospace Technology Institute programme over the next decade to support cutting-edge aerospace innovation and thousands of highly skilled jobs.
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, explained: “Today’s investment in zero and lower emission technology is playing an important part in delivering a sustainable future for UK aviation, a process well underway with the launch last year of the sustainable aviation fuel mandate and imminent passage of the SAF revenue certainty mechanism into law.
“The ongoing work of the Jet Zero Taskforce, bringing government, industry and experts together to drive progress, is a critical part of our collective efforts to ensure net zero remains a reality for our sector.”
