Sustainability In The Air

In this episode, we talk to Sara Bogdan, Head of Sustainability and ESG at JetBlue Airways, one of the two airlines in the world planning to achieve net zero emissions by 2040 – a full decade ahead of the industry's target. Bogdan talks about sustainability in the aviation industry, with a particular focus on JetBlue's pioneering efforts. Beginning with a broad overview of global environ...

The airline aiming for net zero 22 years before the industry target In this episode, we talk to Maarten Koopmans, Managing Director of KLM Cityhopper about KLM’s bold gambit in utilising regional aviation as a testbed for its overall sustainability strategy.  KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of the Dutch airline KLM, has an ambitious and focused vision for reaching net zero this decade itse...

In this episode, we talk to Nadia Kaddouri, former Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer for Swissport International, the leading provider of airport ground services and air cargo handling based on revenue and number of airports served.  In this episode, Kaddouri stresses that the hope for a net-zero future lies in people’s excitement and willingness to adopt sustainability measures. While lay...

In this episode, we talk to Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen, a company that wants to make hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality.  Universal Hydrogen’s first product is a conversion kit for existing ATR72 and De Havilland Canada Dash-8 aircraft to fly on hydrogen. It includes a fuel cell electric powertrain and lightweight, modular hydrogen capsules transpor...

In this episode, we talk to Jane Ashton, Sustainability Director at easyJet, Europe’s second-largest budget carrier.  Ashton enumerates the six levers of sustainability that easyJet is working on to get to net zero by 2050, and explains why the airline moved away from betting on electric to hydrogen propulsion.  In this episode, we’ll also learn about the various partnerships easyJet is exploring...

In this episode, we talk to Andreas Aks, CEO of Widerøe Zero , a subsidiary of the Norwegian airline Widerøe.  Widerøe Zero has been set up as a consultancy-cum-incubator that seeks to shed the baggage of legacy aviation and usher in a green future. The company aims to tackle the regulatory, commercial and financing challenges involved in purchasing and operating an entirely new class of aircraft....

In this episode, we talk to Bonny Simi, Head of Air Operations and People at Joby Aviation.  On our podcast, she explains why, thanks to over 10 years of designing, developing and testing, Joby is set to be a leader in the eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft) space. Thanks to an initial investment by JetBlue Ventures, followed by further investment and an exclusive partnership wi...

In this episode, we talk to Oscar Munoz, former CEO of United Airlines and recently retired Executive Chairman of the airline’s board. Munoz shares insights from his new book, “Turnaround Time”, a deeply personal account of his time as CEO during which he led United’s remarkable comeback. On our podcast, he explains the pivotal role of empathy and trust in leadership, especially in navigating an o...

In this episode, we talk to Zita Schellekens, SVP Strategy & Sustainability at KLM who explains how a sustainable future can be achieved without sacrificing growth. We’ll hear about KLM’s commitment to sustainability through innovative technologies and collaborations. In addition, the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, testing new aircraft designs, and integrating sustainability into busin...

In this episode, we talk to Vincent Etchebehere, Director of Sustainability and New Mobilities at Air France who maps out the airline’s short- and long-term pathways to net zero emissions. We’ll also learn about the importance and effectiveness of fleet renewal and how the airline is planning to adopt alternative fuels including hydrogen and reduce its carbon footprint. Etchebehere highlights Air...

In this episode, we talk to SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux, who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. He also discusses The Sustainable Flight Challenge , SkyTeam’s groundbreaking initiative to promote sustainable innovations, and how sustainability can be an integral part of customer experience.  We’ll also learn about the importance of collaboration among airl...

In this episode, we talk to Amelia DeLuca, Chief Sustainability OfficerVice President, at Delta Air Lines. She shares how the next frontier of sustainability is collaboration – not only from collaboration with their SkyTeam airline partners, but also in how it shows up in other spheres whether they’re on the ground or in the air.  We’ll also learn about Delta’s single-minded focus on tracking cust...

Later this year, Virgin Atlantic will conduct the world’s first net zero transatlantic flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). If all goes well, it could set the stage for much cleaner flying by the end of this decade. In this episode, we talk to Holly-Boyd Boland, Virgin Atlantic’s VP Corporate Development and Sustainability. She shares how Virgin Atlantic is preparing to conduct...

Carbon offsetting is a frequently used solution for mitigating excessive emissions, especially in aviation. The solution however, is not without its fair share of controversies. In this episode, we talk to CarbonClick’s Vice President of Enterprise Product & Strategic Partnerships, Seth Horowitz. He shares how the carbon offsets, when used carefully, can be an asset to aviation.  As an industr...

Aircraft are the heart of aviation. Making efficient and greener aircraft is possibly the most effective way to cut the industry’s carbon emissions.  In this episode, we talk to Embraer’s President & CEO Arjan Meijer and Vice President of Marketing and Strategy Rodrigo Silva e Souza. They share how the aircraft manufacturer is on a mission to decarbonise regional aviation through a mix of inno...

As one of the world’s most visionary resort developers, Red Sea Global wants to show that there is a better way to positively shape the places in which we live, work and travel. In this episode, we talk to John Pagano, CEO at Red Sea Global. He shares how the company is creating brand new eco-tourism destinations that will allow you to travel not just net-zero, but true climate positive. By re-thi...

As the industry leader in aviation analytics, Cirium assists the aviation industry in predicting future trends through its rich datasets that date back to 1947 and cover over 400,000 aircraft! In this episode, we talk to Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium. He shares how the company is empowering the industry to reach a more sustainable future with the most accurate aircraft emissions data. Cirium has a w...

eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing) or ‘air taxis’ refer to aircraft that use electric power to take off and land vertically, and are particularly useful in urban areas afflicted with traffic congestion. In this episode, we talk to Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder at Archer Aviation. He shares how the company focuses on designing and developing eVTOLs, which they believe will “unlock the...

As the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, Airbus is in a unique position to drive aviation towards a zero-emission future.   In this episode, we talk to Amanda Simpson, Vice President for Research & Technology (Americas) at Airbus. She shares how the airframer is at the forefront of investing in new technologies and innovations that pioneer the sustainability spirit, chief among them...

Did you know that Air Company is using thin air to make sustainable aviation fuel, vodka, perfume, sanitiser and more?  In this episode, we talk to Gregory Constantine, Co-Founder and CEO of  Air Company, who believes that the path to a sustainable future lies – quite literally – in the air. He shares how the company uses the planet’s most abundant pollutant and turns it into a never-ending resour...

Since aviation remains, more or less, as good as its tools, aircraft manufacturers bear a huge responsibility, especially as we rely on fleet renewal in the short-term to mitigate the carbon impact of aviation. In this episode, we talk to Boeing’s Vice President of Environmental Sustainability, Sheila Remes who shares how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation t...

Representing the interests of airports and airport operators across the world, Airports Council International (ACI World) fosters collective action within the industry. With nearly 712 members, and operations spanning 1,925 airports in 171 countries, ACI World contributes to the safety, security and sustainability of global aviation. In this episode, we talk to ACI World’s Director General Luis Fe...

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has taken the ultra low-cost model a step further to pursue growth and sustainability in tandem.  In this episode, we talk to Wizz Air Group’s Chief Corporate & ESG Officer, Yvonne Moynihan, about how the carrier has reduced its per seat carbon footprint by 15% since 2019, despite having grown by a remarkable 140% since the pandemic! We'll learn about w...

Dubai International Airport is one of the largest in the world, so reducing its environmental impact is not an easy feat. In this episode we talk to CEO Paul Griffiths about his brilliant approach of focusing relentlessly on constant improvement, no matter how small. We'll learn about maintaining a net zero trajectory, working with airlines and Paul's personal commitment to living a net...

Dirk Singer, Head of Sustainability at SimpliFlying shares how airlines can tackle climate activism and flight shaming while investing in sustainable initiatives.