In this episode, we talk to Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shares insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance and its potential impact on aviation sustainability.

Condensation trails, also known as contrails, are long, thin clouds that often form behind an aircraft in cold and humid conditions when water vapour freezes around small dust and soot particles from the engine. Although they look harmless, contrails are made up of small ice crystals that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere and contribute to global warming. 

Frías delves into the complexities of contrail formation and its impact on climate, highlighting that non-CO2 emissions from aviation may be as significant as CO2 emissions in terms of climate impact. She explains the challenges of implementing contrail avoidance strategies, including weather unpredictability, operational complexities, and the industry’s hesitance to participate in non-CO2 emissions monitoring.

Recently, FLIGHTKEYS was part of a study that simulated contrail avoidance for about 85,000 flights. The study, published in February 2024, analysed two weeks of American Airlines flights in June, and two weeks in January. Frías shares that the study demonstrated significant reductions in contrail energy forcing (up to 73%) with minimal increases in fuel consumption and overall costs (less than 0.11%!).

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Adam Durant, Founder & CEO of SATAVIA, who shares  the groundbreaking work being done in the field of contrail reduction and its implications for the environment. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

FLIGHTKEYS 

Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience 

Airlines divide over new EU rules on monitoring and reporting of their non-CO2 emissions - GreenAir News 

SATAVIA wants to solve a majorly ignored aspect of aviation’s climate impact - SimpliFlying