Sustainability In The Air

In this episode, we talk to Marie Owens Thomsen , Senior Vice President Sustainability & Chief Economist at the International Air Transport Association ( IATA ), on the integration of sustainability and economics within the aviation sector, highlighting the pivotal role of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and the challenges of balancing growth with environmental stewardship.  Thomsen emphasise...

In this episode, we talk to Senator Andy Billig , Senate Majority Leader at Washington State Senate, on how he has spearheaded efforts to integrate environmental stewardship with legislative action in Washington State. Billig’s journey in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) began in 2012, leading to pivotal legislation like Senate Bill 5447, which incentivises SAF production to complement Washington’s...

In this episode, we talk to Elena Schmidt, Executive Director of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials ( RSB ). RSB is a global, multi-stakeholder independent organisation that drives the development of a new world bio-economy through sustainability solutions, certification, and collaborative partnerships. Schmidt acknowledges the difficulties in decarbonising aviation, given the reliance on...

In this episode, we talk to Jonathon Counsell, Group Head of Sustainability at International Airlines Group (IAG). IAG is the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus, LEVEL, IAG Loyalty and IAG Cargo. The group plays a critical role in setting the sustainability strategy and targets for its subsidiary airlines, and collaborates with governments and investors to realise these...

In this episode, we talk to Amy Hebert, Chair of the Board and CEO at Arcadia eFuels , who discusses the rapidly growing field of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with a focus on e-fuels.  eFuels are produced with electricity from renewable sources, water and CO2 and are a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Hebert discusses her entry into the field, driven by the untapped potential for carbo...

Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world's #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the past couple of weeks, we have brought to you some of the finest conversations from our archives with added context based on the latest updates from the companies featured. Following our first holiday special with Scott Kirby , the CEO of United Airlines and second with Amelia...

Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world’s #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the next couple of weeks, we will bring to you some of the finest conversations from our archives and add context based on the latest updates from the companies featured. Following up our first holiday special with Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines is our conversation with Amelia...

Welcome to the holiday edition of Sustainability in the Air, the world’s #1 podcast on sustainable aviation. Over the next couple of weeks, we will bring to you some of the finest conversations from our archives and add context based on the latest updates from the companies featured. First up is our episode with Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, an airline that continues to set new standard...

In this episode we talk to Bertrand Lestimé, ZEROe Market and Customers Leader at Airbus, who outlines the airframer’s multi-pronged strategy to reach net-zero. Lestimé shares how Airbus is focusing on fleet renewal, improving operational efficiency and air traffic management, and investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and carbon removal technologies. A pivotal part of Airbus’ strategy is t...

In this episode we talk to Helen Giles, Managing Director of Environmental Sustainability at Southwest Airlines , who shares how the low-cost carrier is integrating sustainability into its operations.  Giles discusses how Southwest is balancing growth with sustainability, the airline’s net zero roadmap and the crucial role of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in reducing the airline’s carbon emissi...

In this episode, we talk to Dave Kettner, President and General Counsel at Virent about the company’s innovative contributions to renewable energy and its pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future in aviation. Kettner emphasises their breakthroughs in renewable fuels, particularly their BioForming process that converts plant carbohydrates into bioformate, a green alternative to petroleum produc...

In this episode we talk to Dr Susanne Becken , Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Griffith University, Australia, who discusses various aspects of sustainable travel and its relationship with climate change. With her roots in Germany, current engagement at Griffith University in Australia, and residing in New Zealand, Becken is a unique voice in sustainable tourism. Her global lifestyle has foste...

In this episode we talk to Gene Gebolys, President and CEO at World Energy , the world’s first producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that has been in the business of renewable fuels for over 25 years. They produce sustainable aviation fuel, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha, with plans to create renewable propane and green hydrogen. Gebolys delves into the intricacies and future of SAF...

In this episode, we talk to Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, who discusses the airline’s commitment to net zero, and the overarching BA Better World sustainability strategy. We will learn about BA’s short-, medium- and long-term initiatives to support greener flying, its CO2llaborate platform that embeds sustainability into the customer journey, the comprehensive emplo...

In this episode, we speak with SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam, and Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer, about the launch of their brand new book, ‘ Sustainability in the Air .’ The aviation industry finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the environmental consequences of its operations. While today aviation’s global share of greenhouse gases is around 3%, that could grow to 22% by 2050 if...

In this episode we talk to Hiske Arts, Campaigner at Fossil Free NL ( Fossielvrij NL ), a Dutch citizens’ movement seeking to “break the power of the fossil fuel industry”.  Arts voices her concerns about the aviation industry’s contributions to the climate crisis and emphasises her scepticism about the aviation industry’s genuine commitment to addressing climate concerns. The conversation delves...

In this episode we talk to Nathan Millecam, President & CEO of Electric Power Systems ( EP Systems ) about designing the perfect battery to power electric aircraft. Millecam’s company is a pioneer in aircraft battery technology. His journey began with a role at Honeywell Aerospace, where he worked on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s power system. This introduced him to the potential of lithium-ion...

In this episode we talk to Daniel Wiegand, Co-founder & Chief Engineer for Innovation and Future Programmes at Lilium . He shares Lilium’s vision to revolutionise regional air mobility by building the world’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet. While most eVTOLs are seen as advanced versions of helicopters, Lilium Jet’s unique design allows for passengers to be transporte...

In this episode we talk to Andrea Carroll, Group Head of Sustainability at daa , about how the global airport group is taking a holistic approach to sustainability and fostering a climate positive culture that promotes sustainability as a shared responsibility. daa group are the commercial semi-state operators of Dublin and Cork airports; airport retail operators ( ARI ) and management consulting...

In this episode, we talk to Haldane Dodd, Executive Director at Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), about how the non-profit is assisting the aviation industry in its net-zero by 2050 journey.  Since 1990, the Geneva-based ATAG has brought the industry together to address the most pressing issues of the day. Their membership currently comprises over 40 organisations, including airframe and engine m...

In this episode, we talk to André Stein, Chief Strategy Officer at Eve Air Mobility , a subsidiary of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.  Stein talks about the transformative potential of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in urban mobility. He explains how Eve is emphasising the passenger experience, striving to cater to a wide demographic, including the elderly, vis...

In this episode, we talk to Amy Ruddock, VP Europe and Middle East at Carbon Engineering .  Based in British Columbia, Canada, Carbon Engineering aims to combat climate change by globally implementing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology at a megaton-scale. Unlike traditional methods, DAC directly extracts CO2, the key greenhouse gas behind climate change, from the atmosphere, addressing both curre...

In the special 50th episode, SimpliFlying CEO and host of the podcast, Shashank Nigam, reflects on the podcast's evolution from its inception on Earth Day 2022. He is joined by the SimpliFlying team members as they record the episode on a boat in London during their annual retreat.  Shashank begins by highlighting the critical contributions of each member of the SimpliFlying team in the areas...

In this episode, we talk to Tom Kershaw, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Travelport, about how technology coupled with a transparent, collaborative approach can lead to a sustainable future.  Travelport is a travel technology company with transparency at its core. It provides “a single, independent marketplace for buyers and sellers of travel” that helps travellers make informed travel d...

SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact In this episode, we talk to Adam Durant, Founder & CEO of SATAVIA, about the groundbreaking work being done in the field of contrail reduction and its implications on the environment. Contrails are the long, thin clouds that often form behind an airplane in cold and humid conditions when water vapor freezes around sma...