Sustainability In The Air

In this episode, we speak with Silvia Pugliese and Monica Larrazabal , co-founders of Norma and the only all-female founding team among the c.150 direct air capture startups operating today. They share how their breakthrough supercapacitor approach could drastically slash the energy requirements of carbon capture. Pugliese and Larrazabal discuss: How they discovered a way to "cheat" on e...

In this episode, we speak with Nina Marczell , Senior Vice President of Industrial Sales & Marketing for Fuels & Feedstock at OMV , who shares how the integrated energy company is leading sustainable aviation fuel development from early production to commercial scale across Europe. Marczell discusses: OMV's early-mover advantage, launching SAF production at their Austrian refinery in...

In this episode, we speak with Val Miftakhov , CEO and founder of ZeroAvia , who shares how the clean propulsion systems company is championing hydrogen-electric engines that could transform commercial aviation. Miftakhov discusses: ZeroAvia’s vertical integration strategy for developing in-house fuel cells, power electronics, and motors. The company’s global expansion with Centres of Excellence i...

In this episode, we speak with Luke Farajallah , CEO of Loganair , UK's largest regional airline that operates the world's shortest commercial flight and the only airline globally that lands commercially on a beach. Farajallah discusses: Loganair's unique "fishing in a big pond" approach to sustainable aviation, investing simultaneously in SAF, hybrid-electric aircraft wit...

In this episode, we speak with Marc Allen , CEO of Electra.aero , who shares how the hybrid-electric aircraft company is using its patented blown-lift technology to make regional air travel more accessible. Electra is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two .  You can learn more about the book and order a copy here . Allen discusses: Electra’s...

In this episode, we speak with Etosha Cave , Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of Twelve , who shares how the carbon transformation company harnesses carbon dioxide from industrial waste streams to produce efuels.  Twelve is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two . You can learn more about the book and order a copy here . Cave discusses: Tw...

In this episode, we speak with Aaron Robinson , Vice President of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the International Airlines Group (IAG), which has become the top airline globally for SAF use. IAG is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two . You can learn more about the book and order a copy here . Robinson discusses: How IAG leveraged Europ...

In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Neufang , CEO of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), who shares how the world’s leading business travel association is transforming corporate travel to accelerate aviation decarbonisation through industry collaboration. Neufang discusses: How sustainability priorities amongst travel managers more than doubled from 8% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, though...

In this episode, we speak with Anders Forslund , Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace , who shares the radical transformation his electric aircraft company has undergone in the past year — relocating from Sweden to Los Angeles and fundamentally changing how aerospace companies operate in the 21st century. Forslund discusses: Why Heart moved its operations to the US despite strong European roots,...

In this episode, we speak with Tom O'Leary , CEO and co-founder of JetZero , which is developing the world's first commercial blended wing body (BWB) aircraft that promises to revolutionise aviation efficiency and passenger experience. JetZero is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two . You can learn more about the book and order a c...

In this episode, we speak with Marion N Chivot-Legris , Director of ESG & Sustainability Strategy at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), who shares how the Canadian airport is leveraging its unique position to drive sustainability innovation across the region. Chivot-Legris discusses: YEG’s transformation into a “sustainability engine” for the entire region, building an integrated ecosystem...

In this special episode, SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam and Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer sit down with senior leaders from three companies featured in their upcoming book, Sustainability in the Air, Vol. II .  Joining the conversation are Jonathon Counsell (Group Head of Sustainability, IAG ), Diana Birkett Rakow (SVP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Alaska Airlines ), and Ashwin Jad...

In this episode, we speak with Jolanda Stevens , Program Manager for Zero Emission Aviation at KLM , who shares how the airline is preparing for a more sustainable future of aviation through innovative technologies and strategic investment in emerging solutions. Stevens discusses: KLM’s unique approach to innovation with a dedicated team focused on the “disruptive” aviation technology, working on...

In this episode, we speak with Martin Gauss, former CEO of airBaltic, who transformed the Latvian flag carrier into one of Europe’s most innovative airlines while connecting the entire Baltic region. Gauss discusses: The benefits of operating a single-fleet airline with the highly efficient Airbus A220-300, resulting in 30% lower fuel consumption than older generation aircraft and contributing to...

In this episode, we speak with  Amaury Barberot , CEO of Expliseat , about how the company's innovative lightweight seating technology is delivering immediate sustainability benefits for airlines while improving their bottom line. Barberot discusses: Expliseat's revolutionary aircraft seat design made from carbon fibre and titanium that is 30% lighter than comparable products, saving app...

In this episode, we speak with Lena Wennberg , Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström , Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia , which owns and operates 10 airports across Sweden, connecting the country both internally and with the rest of the world. Wennberg and Forsström discuss: Swedavia’s achievement of fossil-free operations in 2020 in their own airport operations,...

In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo , Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org , a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action.  Mirolo discusses: The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation...

In this episode, we speak with Pasha Saleh , Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines , who leads Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainable aviation technologies. Saleh shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability investments and their vision for decarbonising the industry. Saleh discusses: The founding vision for Alaska Star...

In this episode, we speak with Eveliina Huurre , Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Finnair , who shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability and their ambitious targets to reduce emissions.  Huurre discusses: The employee engagement initiative that yielded 300 sustainability ideas, with 100 selected for implementation during Finnair’s centenary celebrations, ranging from...

In this special episode, we bring together Patrick Edmond , Managing Director of Altair Advisory , and Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, to discuss whether aviation demand management is a myth or a necessary component of climate action.  Moderated by Dirk Singer, SimpliFlying’s Head of Sustainability, the discussion stems from a heated LinkedIn exchange between Patrick and Shashank, sparked by...

In this episode, we speak with Lucca Ewbank , Program Manager, Transport at InfluenceMap , who shares how the non-profit think tank uses data-driven analysis to assess corporate engagement with climate policies, and holds the corporate and financial sectors accountable for their role in climate change. Ewbank discusses: The significant disparity between what airlines say publicly versus what they...

In this episode, we speak with Jan Toschka , CEO of Zaffra , a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol.  Toschka shares insights about scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and why he believes the aviation industry must take responsibility for its own decarbonisation rather than relying on other sectors. Toschka discusses: The unique positioning of Zaffra, combining Topsoe’s expertise...

In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung , General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay , who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain. Cheung discusses: Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environment...

In this episode, we speak with Dick Benschop , Chair of the Board at Mission Possible Partnership (MPP),  an alliance of climate leaders focused on supercharging efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. Benschop discusses: The challenge of decarbonising aviation amid rapid growth with focus on both efficiency and sustainable fuels. How blending mandates can break the “chicken and egg” problem...

In this episode, we speak with Anna Stratton , Associate Director, Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation , a global platform for philanthropy that has granted over $2 billion to climate solutions across 50 countries.  Stratton shares insights into how philanthropic funding can drive aviation’s transition to net zero while ensuring emerging markets aren’t left behind. She discusses: The crucial role...