Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter, debunks the 'hard to decarbonise' myth in aviation, advocating for pricing flights accurately. He explores sustainable aviation fuels, electric aviation, and the industry's pivotal choices for a greener future.

In this episode, we talk to Grace Vihenda, Senior Manager, Innovation and Sustainability at Kenya Airways, who shares the airline’s efforts to promote sustainable aviation in Africa, a continent with abundant resources for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production but limited infrastructure and investment.In 2023, Kenya Airways became the first African airline to use SAF for an intercontinental long-haul flight. The flight was conducted as a part of SkyTeam’s Sustainable Flight Challenge, despite the challenges posed by the lack of a SAF policy framework in the country and the need to purchase the fuel from overseas at a significantly higher cost. The flight has been instrumental in helping chart the course for supportive policy action and the need to set up local SAF production. Vihenda discusses Kenya Airways’ plans to scale up local production, with testing and certification planned for 2024, and eventual commercialisation for broader use.Vihenda also elaborates on Kenya Airways’ innovative sustainability initiatives, such as partnering with a startup to produce cleaner diesel from waste plastic, implementing 100% recycling of food waste during in-flight meal preparation, and developing upcycled products from aircraft parts. She also emphasises the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among airlines to advance sustainability goals.As a side note, AviaDev Africa Conference, a crucial platform for improving air travel connections across Africa, is taking place from June 19-21, 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia. Learn more about AviaDev here.If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with SkyTeam Alliance’s CEO Patrick Roux who outlines the alliance’s role in enabling airlines’ net zero journey. 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:Sustainability - Kenya AirwaysKenya Airways operates first flight from Africa using Eni’s aviation biofuel - ESG News Kenya Airways wins top prize in two categories in the ‘Sustainable Flight Challenge’ - Airspace Africa Why SkyTeam believes the world needs “conscious travel” - SimpliFlying 

In this episode, we talk to Jimmy Samartzis, CEO of LanzaJet, who shares the company’s journey in developing the world’s first proven alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) technology that converts ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. Samartzis discusses LanzaJet’s ambitious target of producing 1 billion gallons of SAF by 2030. Elaborating on LanzaJet’s highly efficient and capital-light ATJ technology, he explains how it can produce up to 90% of fuels as SAF and the remaining 10% as renewable diesel. The process is also adaptable to various feedstocks, including waste materials, allowing LanzaJet to leverage local, sustainable inputs, and cater to the needs and resources of different countries.Samartzis emphasises the importance of collaborations with airline investors and partners like British Airways and Southwest Airlines in driving the adoption of SAF. He also discusses the environmental benefits of LanzaJet’s technology and SAF, which include the elimination of sulphur, reduction in particulate matter, and potentially lower contrail formation.If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with World Energy’s President & CEO Gene Gebolys who delves into the intricacies and future of SAF. 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:Sustainable Fuels - LanzaJetCleaner skies ahead? A glimmer of hope for airline industry’s clean fuel challenge - The Economic TimesLanzaJet unveils world’s first ethanol-to-sustainable jet fuel plant in Georgia - BloombergBritish Airways, Nova Pangaea, LanzaJet project wins UK funding - Biomass Magazine How World Energy is shaping the future of sustainable aviation fuel - SimpliFlying 

Preeti Jain from IATA discusses the challenges of scaling up sustainable aviation fuel production to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. She emphasizes the need for increased SAF plants, policy support, and collaboration among stakeholders. Jain sees potential in leveraging existing refinery infrastructure and expects SAF costs to decline over time. Her strategy involves feedstocks, technology, policy support, and partnerships to overcome challenges and accelerate SAF adoption.

Dan Rutherford, Senior Director of Research at ICCT, discusses reducing aviation emissions, net-zero by 2050, collaboration with Google on Travel Impact Model, challenges with sustainable aviation fuels, frequent flyer levy, and the role of consumer awareness in driving change within the aviation industry.

In this episode, we talk to Diana Birkett Rakow, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Alaska Airlines, who shares the airline’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2040.To reach the 2040 goal, Alaska Airlines has developed a comprehensive five-part path. The plan includes focusing on operational efficiency, fleet modernisation, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), new propulsion technologies, and the use of carbon credits as a last resort.Rakow discusses the importance of employee and customer engagement in advancing the airline’s sustainability goals. She shares the airline’s unique bonus program that ties 10% of every employee’s annual bonus to achieving carbon intensity targets. Rakow also discusses the airline’s efforts to engage customers in sustainability initiatives by enabling the purchase of nature-based offsets and SAF credits, and offering loyalty rewards.Rakow emphasises the significance of collaborations with companies like Microsoft and Twelve in developing and utilising SAF. She also delves into the airline’s investments in future technologies, such as their partnership with ZeroAvia to develop hydrogen-electric powertrains for regional aircraft, and the role of the airline’s venture investment arm, Alaska Star Ventures, in identifying and supporting innovations that accelerate the path to net zero emissions.Please note: Alaska Airlines established its headquarters in Seattle in the early 1960s. The decade was misstated in the episode. If you LOVED this episode you’ll also love the conversation we had with Delta Air Lines’ Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca, who shares the airline’s collaborative vision for sustainability. 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:ESG Environmental Social Governance - Alaska AirlinesFlying with purpose: Alaska sets new climate goals, including net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 - Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines, Twelve & Microsoft collaborate to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced from captured CO2 - ESG TodayAlaska Airlines, ZeroAvia to develop world’s largest zero-emission aircraft - Flight GlobalDelta’s sustainability push is powered by a surprising customer insight 

Daniel Rosen Jacobson, Co-founder of Elysian Aircraft, discusses their 90-seater battery electric aircraft for sustainable aviation. The focus is on designing a larger plane with competitive costs, technical aspects like integrated batteries and folding wingtips, and overcoming certification challenges. The podcast explores the potential of electric aviation, infrastructure requirements, favorite airports, and funding milestones for the project.

Harbour Air's CEO, Engineering Manager, and Head of Digital talk about the airline's shift to electric aviation, from carbon offsetting to insetting. They discuss the successful e-plane initiative, collaborations, battery technology, and customer response to sustainable aviation. The conversation highlights the airline's commitment to building the world's first all-electric commercial fleet and the importance of partnerships in advancing green aviation.

Finlay Asher, Co-founder of Safe Landing, discusses the challenges of balancing growth and sustainability in aviation, advocating for government intervention and carbon budgets. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based analysis for Sustainable Aviation Fuels and calls for equity in emissions reductions. The podcast explores the need for a managed transition to promote sustainable aviation practices and highlights the role of developed nations in leading decarbonization efforts.

In this episode, we speak with SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam, COO Shubhodeep Pal and Head of Sustainability, Dirk Singer about the launch of SimpliFlying’s first annual Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report.As the world reels from the catastrophic consequences of climate change, the question of what the aviation industry can do about sustainability is rife with divided opinions. Is net zero by 2050 realistic? Is it equitable for all? Do we have the money to make it happen? Will customers support it? Aviation’s pathways to net zero are also hotly contested.As the industry navigates its complex transition towards a sustainable future, the Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report aims to offer hope, reassurance, answers and some helpful suggestions along the way.Based on a survey of 20 leading carriers from around the world, including major players such as Air France-KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa Group, All Nippon Airways, and Southwest Airlines, the report seeks to assess the current state of sustainability efforts, identify best practices and challenges. Complemented with comprehensive and rich data from Cirium and Envest Global, SimpliFlying’s Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report aims to provide insights into how carriers can effectively integrate sustainability into their business strategies.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.Links & More:Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report 2024 - SimpliFlying Sustainability in the Air - The Book - SimpliFlyingFrom Ground to Cloud: Will The Billions Invested In Sustainable Aviation Truly Decarbonise The Industry? - SimpliFlyingUnderstanding Sustainable Aviation in 40 Charts (Plus, Case Studies!) - SimpliFlying