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Fact Sheet: Technology Roadmap for Environmental Improvement

  • The IATA Technology Roadmap gives an overview of current and future technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of aviation
  • It analyzes the potential carbon reduction benefits of new technologies for airframes, engines and air traffic management as well as alternative fuels
  • The Roadmap considers short-term solutions such as retrofits as well as longer-term developments that can only be implemented in new aircraft designs
  • It identifies approximately 30% improvement in fuel efficiency per aircraft by around 2020 (new generation of single-aisle aircraft)

Results of the study show the following carbon savings per plane

Timelines and examples of technologies Total Impact
Retrofits 7 to 13%
  • Winglets mounted on the wingtips of aircraft reduce fuel burn with improved aerodynamics
  • Engine components replaced by more advanced ones for better combustion and airflow
  • Cabin retrofits with lighter materials for furnishing and less energy-consuming lighting and in-flight entertainment
 
Production Updates 7 to 18%
  • More airframe structure components made of lightweight composite material instead of aluminum
  • Advanced engines for current aircraft production series
 
New aircraft design around 2020 (incl. new single aisle aircraft) 25 to 35%
  • Geared turbofan engine will reduce fuel burn 10 to 15%
  • Open rotor engine will reduce fuel burn around 25%
  • Counter-rotating fan will reduce fuel burn 10 to 15%
  • Advanced turbofan will reduce fuel burn around 15% 
  • Laminar flow reduces aerodynamic drag by reducing turbulence on aircraft surface, 10 to 15% less fuel burn
 
New aircraft design well beyond 2020 25 to 50%
  • Blended wing body, rather than classical tube & wing architecture
  • Revolutionary engine architectures
  • Fuel cell system for on-board energy
 

Industry Involvement
Over 20 partners contributed to the roadmap

  • Airframe manufacturers: Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer 
  • Engine manufacturers: General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Safran
  • System suppliers: Hamilton, Honeywell, Rockwell-Collins, Thales
  • Fuel Industry: BP, Chevron, Shell, Total
  • Research Institutes: Georgia Institute of Technology, German Aerospace
     Centre (DLR), Bauhaus Luftfahrt

Updated: December 2011


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