Key Points
- The UK is investing £250 million ($340 million) in green aviation technology.
- The main objective is to develop zero-emission planes and make air travel more environmentally friendly.
- The money will support projects led by major companies, such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce, as well as smaller businesses.
- Research will focus on hydrogen fuel systems, lightweight materials, and advanced manufacturing techniques.
The British government is investing a hefty £250 million ($340 million) into making air travel greener. The money will fund advanced research into everything from zero-emission planes to using laser beams for manufacturing and designing jets with less drag, all to give the country’s aerospace industry a major boost.
The funding will be allocated to projects led by prominent companies such as Airbus and Rolls-Royce, as well as several smaller tech companies and university partnerships. Industry Minister Sarah Jones is scheduled to make the official announcement at the Paris Airshow on Tuesday. The plan is to back a range of innovative projects, including building the infrastructure needed to test liquid hydrogen fuel systems and developing new, lightweight materials for aircraft.
The government hopes the investment will not only help reduce the airline industry’s carbon footprint but also create new jobs and attract more private money into the sector.
In an interview, Jones said that while supporting the industry giants is important, a key goal is to help smaller startup companies grow. “Getting the supply chain of smaller businesses ready is the challenge, and that’s what we want to build up in the UK,” she said.
The industry welcomed the news. Airbus UK chairman John Harrison said the funding gives companies the confidence and stability they need to innovate. “It’s initiatives like these that are absolutely critical to accelerating our decarbonisation journey and advancing sustainable, cutting-edge manufacturing,” he said.
