Etihad Becomes First Airline to Collab with the University of Cambridge Aviation Impact Accelerator
Wednesday 20th of July 2022
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, has announced that it is the first airline to join the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), an international organization of academics and practitioners brought together by the University of Cambridge. The airline joins Boeing and Rolls-Royce in their announcement that they will collaborate with AIA to advance the industry's transition to net zero aviation while supplying in-depth technical and policy knowledge.
The announcement was made on the first day of the Farnborough Airshow at the Aerospace Global Forum (AGF). The Airshow's new AGF platform aims to accelerate immediate action toward net zero aviation. The AIA hosted several panels, released a new report in partnership with the World Economic Forum, and unveiled a new interactive tool designed to hasten the transition to net zero aviation (WEF).
Prof. Rob Miller, Director Whittle Lab, University of Cambridge shared some words, “Achieving an aviation sector with no climate impact is one of society’s greatest challenges and it is only through a true partnership between industry, academia, and government that we will be able to understand the whole system and accelerate change. I am delighted that Etihad will be joining stage two of the Aviation Impact Accelerator, as the first air carrier partner. Together we will work to drive forward the transition to sustainable aviation.”
Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, shared, “We are proud to be partnering with one of the world’s leading jet engine research labs to further support the decarbonization of our industry. Etihad is committed to sustainability and the dedication of its fleet as flying test-beds for research and innovation through the Greenliner and Sustainable50 programmes, and this new collaboration with the University of Cambridge, through the Aviation Impact Accelerator, will allow for more industrial and academic synergy.”
Through its own Etihad Sustainability program, Etihad spent years conducting research and development that led to its partnership with the AIA. The airline provides a platform for technical expertise, genuine real-time innovation, and new technology advancement through its flagship Greenliner program, in collaboration with Boeing and GE, and its recently launched Sustainable50 program, in collaboration with Airbus and Rolls Royce.
The airline released the Etihad Airways Sustainability Report earlier this year, which is regarded as a benchmark for the sector and shows the potential improvements that can be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives. In recognition of its efforts and dedication to aviation sustainability, Etihad was last week named Environmental Airline of the Year 2022 by Airline Ratings, the renowned ratings organization in the sector.