Heathrow launches blueprint for zero carbon domestic flights

Heathrow has successfully pitched two carbon-cutting concepts to Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge. 

The new projects give the airport the opportunity to research new ground-breaking concepts that, in future, could help to reduce emissions, cut costs and make the airport more efficient as the industry works to recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

The first project, named Fly2Plan, aims to learn how new technologies such as cloud infrastructure and blockchain could use the airport’s data more efficiently, creating a decentralised, resilient and efficient operating model to support cross-company collaboration. The concept has the potential to unlock opportunities for new entrants, cut costs and safely allow autonomous drone operators to maximise their use of UK airspace.

The second, Project NAPKIN, which stands for New Aviation Propulsion Knowledge and Innovation Network, sets out to develop a blueprint that could be used to help make zero carbon aviation a reality across the UK. This idea could boost domestic connectivity and position the UK as a world leader in sustainable aviation.

Both projects are closely aligned with the Prime Minister’s key ambitions. The efficient use of airspace is vital for creating the trade opportunities needed to make Global Britain a reality. Autonomous drones and net zero regional flight could support ambitions to level up every corner of the country by connecting more of the UK’s regions to global growth, all while delivering on the industry’s commitment to build back better.

Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Heathrow has always served as a testbed for ground-breaking green technologies. These concepts go further than ever before, with the potential to transform the role that aviation plays in Britain’s economy. The Future Flight Challenge has come at a critical time for the country and our industry. We’re proud to be driving forward with these disruptive initiatives in the year that the UK hosts COP26 and our industry builds back better, as we work to recover from the devastating impacts of this pandemic.”

The Future Flight Challenge, funded through £125 million of government grants, has three overarching objectives, safeguarding the UK’s advantage in aerospace research and development, reducing aviation emissions and creating economic opportunities from new forms of air mobility. Heathrow’s two projects have progressed to this stage of the challenge as they show the potential to deliver on all three fronts.

Heathrow has kicked-off the first stage of the research of these concepts, which is set to take place through till early 2022. The next phase will see live demonstrations of the concepts in action with the long-term aim of wider adoption across the aviation industry. The hub airport is working with several groups across a number of sectors to bring this challenge to life including Oxford University, Cranfield University, Kings College London and London City Airport.

The challenge brings together established leaders in aviation, academics and SMEs and the tech industry to research the use of drones, air mobility, air traffic management as well as infrastructure innovation.

Minister for Business, Paul Scully, said: “We’re investing in ambitious projects, like Heathrow’s development of a blueprint for zero-carbon regional air travel, to ensure the aviation industry is championing the latest cutting-edge technology.

“Pioneering research supported by government funding will help the UK build back greener from the pandemic, remain at the forefront of aerospace research and development, and demonstrate global leadership in the next aviation revolution. I look forward to seeing such proposals take flight."

Photograph: Heathrow Airports Limited