The Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation (AZEA) was launched in June 2022 and aims to prepare the aviation ecosystem for the entry into service of hydrogen and electric aircraft
. It contains 181 Members representing industry, standardisation and certification agencies, research bodies, environmental interest groups and regulators. AZEA members jointly work to identify barriers to entry into commercial service of these aircraft, establish recommendations and a roadmap to address them, promote investment projects and create synergies and momentum amongst members.In June 2023, AZEA published an overview of the current aviation regulatory landscape for hydrogen and electric aircraft
, which describes the activities that EASA is doing to adapt the aviation regulatory framework to facilitate the entry into the market of aircraft that use electric or hydrogen propulsion. To support the introduction of disruptive technologies, innovative concepts (including ground and air operations) or products, whose feasibility may need to be confirmed, and for which an adequate regulatory framework does not yet exist or is not mature, EASA is engaging with future applicants through various Innovation Services .With performance-based regulations there is a higher need for supporting industry standards for regulatory compliance and interoperability. As such, AZEA has also published a document mapping existing standards and committees working in this area, including Eurocae, SAE and ASTM
. Further work to identify where new standards are needed is on-going and will serve as a resource for Standards Development Organizations and industry stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and harmonization of activities.In January 2024, AZEA published its Concept of Operation (CONOPS) for the introduction of electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen powered aircraft
. This addresses the challenges and opportunities arising from the integration of these new market segments into the European aviation system, covering all components of the European Air Traffic Management network, in particular airports. The CONOPS is expected to be re-assessed once robust aircraft performance data becomes available.The AZEA vision “Flying on Electricity and Hydrogen in Europe” published in June 2024
has developed a baseline scenario that, while recognising that long-haul flights relying on these power sources cannot be anticipated before 2050, predicts approximately 5000 electric and hydrogen aircraft (excluding urban air mobility vehicles and helicopters) will be delivered to European operators between now and 2050, leading to a reduction in short and medium-haul CO2 emissions of 12%. While there are considerable challenges requiring the collaboration of all stakeholders, beyond these hurdles is an opportunity to reshape the aviation sector and to pioneer a sustainable future
