Rolls-Royce and Etihad formalise air travel decarbonising plan

Rolls-Royce and Etihad Airways have signed an agreement formalising their common goal to decarbonise air travel.

Extending from Rolls-Royce’s Pathway to Net Zero strategy and related announcements at the recent COP26 event in Glasgow, Rolls-Royce believes that its innovations in electrification and use of sustainable aviation fuels hold the keys to unlock the door of opportunity on decarbonisation.

The focus of the agreement between Rolls-Royce an Etihad Airways targets the application of electrification technologies and hybrid systems.

They will work alongside partners, including Airbus, to test and apply new technology solutions and developments in sustainability to Etihad’s incoming fleet of A350 aircraft.

The agreement has been signed by Chris Cholerton, president of Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace division, which is based in Derby, and Tony Douglas, group chief executive of Etihad Aviation Group.

Mr Cholerton said: “Our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 can only be achieved by working collaboratively with our valued customers.

“Our long-standing relationship with Etihad Airways provides an excellent foundation to build innovative solutions in aviation as we embark on our common journey towards an increasingly sustainable industry.”

Mr Douglas said: “This agreement builds on our long history with Rolls-Royce and formalises our cooperation for decarbonisation, as we research, develop and test sustainable solutions to move the industry forward toward net zero.

“There is no quick fix to overcome the challenge of aviation sustainability, it is going to take a united effort if we are to reach our shared goals of drastically reducing the carbon emissions of air travel.”