The UK aviation industry is set to receive a £43 million boost after the government announced new funding for green aviation projects aimed at cutting emissions and supporting jobs.
The investment comes as ministers press ahead with plans to expand Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, while seeking to ensure aviation growth aligns with climate targets. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is due to meet airline executives, airports and engineering firms to discuss how new technologies can help decarbonise the sector.
The government said low-carbon aviation fuels alone could add up to £5 billion to the UK economy by 2050. Officials expect the funding to unlock millions of pounds in private investment, support skilled jobs and accelerate research into cleaner flying.
Businesses, universities and research organisations across the UK will be invited to apply for a share of the funding from February. The money will support research and development projects focused on achieving net zero aviation by 2050.
Ms Alexander said the funding would help “power up green aviation” by backing emerging technologies such as zero-emission aircraft and hydrogen fuels. She said these innovations were essential to reducing aviation’s climate impact while improving connectivity and growing the economy.
The government said the funding could also support trials to reduce aircraft contrails – condensation trails that can contribute to global warming – as well as help the Civil Aviation Authority develop regulations for the widespread use of hydrogen fuel.
Some of the investment will be used to support the tracking and use of sustainable aviation fuels in regions such as Africa and the Caribbean. Ministers said this would help ensure UK airlines are not placed at a competitive disadvantage compared with carriers based in countries without carbon offsetting systems.
Further support for the sector is expected later this year when the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill comes into force, providing long-term price certainty for UK fuel producers. This is alongside an additional £63 million to accelerate new fuel production plants and £2.3 billion in funding through the Aerospace Technology Institute over the next decade.
Industry groups welcomed the announcement, saying the funding would help turn plans for hydrogen-powered and low-emission aviation into reality and support the UK’s ambition to lead the future of sustainable flight.
