Beluga air transporters unlock a unique manufacturing system | Via Airbus Sponsored Content Pioneering European progress in the field of aerospace and defense From urban electric flights to renewed cross-border cooperation, Europe’s air industry can lead the sustainable future

The close collaboration of visionary European leaders over the last 50 years has contributed to the successful growth of the global aerospace industry, and it will continue to do so far into the future.

The next frontier in this journey: electric, zero-emissions flights, both within cities and over long distances, along with strengthened cross-border cooperation.

Airbus is a truly integrated European company and an example of a clear commitment to European integration. It was born 50 years ago, out of the political foresight to implement an extensive industrial collaboration between several European countries in the field of aerospace and defense, to challenge the US’ worldwide monopoly and make sure they could compete on equal terms.

And so, one global market leader emerged out of many separate aerospace companies, enabling Europe to regain its autonomy in a strategic sector.

Five decades later, an Airbus aircraft takes off or lands every second of the day, somewhere around the world. Half of all helicopters operating worldwide have been produced by Airbus Helicopters.

In Europe, the aerospace and defense industry employs 844,000[1] people and is more important than ever to economic success and security. Output from the aerospace and defense sectors amount to €220 billion in revenues[2]. And Airbus Defence and Space maintains Europe’s independent access to space and helps ensure the Continent’s security.

Destination: The zero-emissions flight

Now Airbus is focused on exploring sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. This is what’s driving the innovative, disruptive flying solutions that the company is chasing and implementing.

The challenge for Airbus is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft, and Airbus is fully committed to reaching the ambitious targets with industry partners, namely the Air Transport Action Group.

At the same time, Airbus aims to preserve Europe’s leadership in aerospace by investing massively in research and technology that will lead to the progressive decarbonization of air transport with new aircraft designs, new propulsion technologies and alternative fuels.

Cutting-edge innovation in Paris

Sustainability was also at the forefront at the 53rd Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, the most important aerospace exposition this year. At the show last week, Airbus has been showcasing the latest innovative technologies, products and services that meet the aerospace industry’s requirements for today and into the future.

That includes the electrification of flight — a field that Airbus is pioneering.

It’s developing electric and hybrid-electric propulsion technology for urban air vehicles as well as commercial aircraft.

To get to zero-emissions flights over longer distances, Airbus is developing projects such as the E-Fan X, a hybrid-electric aircraft demonstrator, along with cleaner alternative fuels for its existing fleet. The E-Fan X is an important stepping stone to making zero-emissions flight a reality by the 2050s.

Airbus’ electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle demonstrator, Vahana, could instead transform the way people travel from A to B within cities. This is an urban air vehicle that will provide emissions-free journeys over short distances — helping to alleviate congestion in some of the world’s megacities. And the lessons learned from vehicle demonstrators like Vahana are currently being used to rethink the architecture of larger aircraft.

Vahana was on display in Paris, along with Airbus’ newest passenger aircraft: The A330neo, the A350 XWB and the latest member of the Airbus family, the A220, which cuts emissions by up to 20 percent compared to previous models.

The need for EU support

But Europe cannot maintain and reinforce its position as a center of innovation in future decades, and achieve the significant emissions reductions it’s aiming for, without continued financial support from the European Union.

No other European industry cooperates as closely across borders as the aerospace industry. Now EU member countries are taking the next step in European cooperation. France, Germany and Spain have joined forces to develop the Future Combat Air System, which connects manned and unmanned aviation systems and platforms. This system will reinforce European air sovereignty.

Airbus is a clear example of what Europe can achieve, especially in the field of innovation. European programs such as CleanSky and SESAR are catalysts for the deployment of new technology-based solutions in the aerospace sector and make flying cleaner, quieter and safer.

From this position of strength, Europe should support its industry in effectively catalyzing smart investment in research and development to shape the future of this strategic sector — just as the visionaries of 1969 intended.

[1] ASD – The aerospace and defence industries association of Europe, Facts and Figures 2017

[2] Ibid.

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