The UK government has pledged £43 million to support ‘green aviation’ projects, following the approval of major expansion plans for London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports.
The Department for Transport said the funds will be allocated to the research and development of emerging technologies that will play “an important role in delivering on the government’s vision to expand airports in line with climate targets”.
“Zero emission aircraft, hydrogen fuels and other emerging technologies are vital to reduce the climate impacts from flying and will enable us to deliver our airport expansion plans to boost connectivity and grow the economy,” said transport secretary Heidi Alexander.
From February, businesses, researchers and universities across the UK will have the opportunity to bid for a share of the funds. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority will also use this investment to develop regulations for the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel.
The government expects the public funds will “drive millions of pounds of private investment” into technology development and scientific research to help decarbonise the aviation sector.
The funding announcement comes after the government last July allocated £63 million in grants to accelerate the production of alternative aviation fuels, also known as 'sustainable aviation fuel' (SAF), following the introduction of the UK’s SAF mandate.
Duncan McCourt, CEO of the Sustainable Aviation, an alliance of UK airlines, airports and service providers, welcomed the additional funding, saying it will “help turn ambition into operational reality across key decarbonisation pathways”.
“We know that aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise and, as we continue on the road to net zero by 2050, industry action combined with government investment are required,” he said.
The UK government is backing plans for a controversial third runway at Heathrow, part of a £49 billion expansion plan at the hub airport. It has also approved London Gatwick Airport’s plans to operate a second runway and supports further expansion at London Luton Airport.