Lift off for green revolution in aerospace travel with Government investment

FLYING GREENER: Carbon dioxide from aircraft contribute more than 2 per cent of global emissions

The UK’s aerospace industry has been given a £343 million investment to enable cleaner, greener flight development.

The investment is broken down between, £255 million, supported by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), to go towards the development of environmentally friendly hybrid aircraft; £68 million of the funding will be made available to increase research and development opportunities, and £20 million is to drive improvements in long-term productivity across the sector.

The project combines Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens to develop a flying electrical demonstrator which will form the foundation for future electrical aircraft and help the aerospace sector to manufacture cleaner, quieter aircraft and aid the sustainable growth of the industry. 

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: “The UK has a rich heritage in civil aviation as the home of the jet engine and the wings factory of the world.

“Technology is driving revolutionary changes in aviation that have not been seen since the 1970s and today’s investment is foundational to the future of commercial aviation and ensuring the UK remains at the cutting-edge of the sector. This revolution in civil aerospace will bring significant benefits to UK industry, passengers and the environment.”

Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said: “The development of quicker, quieter and cleaner aircraft will transform the UK’s transport market and open up new and more sustainable ways for passengers to travel between our cities and regions and across the globe.

“Developing innovation, technology and skills is a core part of the Government’s Aviation Strategy and this funding will help us to ensure that the UK aviation sector continues to be a world leader in this area.” 

The Business and Energy Secretary also announced the start of formal negotiations for an Industrial Strategy sector deal that will increase business investment in the UK, with discussions expected to conclude before the end of the year. The deal is expected to explore investment opportunities around electrification and high-value design, as well as the continued rise of productivity levels in the supply chain. This investment will also contribute to the increase in skill levels in the sector. 

Projects have been given to a number of industry leaders including, Bombardier, Rolls-Royce and Airbus.