A highlight of the aviation industry calendar, the Farnborough International Airshow brought together a range of SATE partners to promote the value of sustainable aviation. The event hosted a wide selection of exhibitors, including UKRI, Cranfield Aerospace, Flare Bright, Windracers, and Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), which also hosted a panel session on zero emissions regional aviation.
Loganair, UHI, Arcadis, and the SATE team also attended, with David Holden appearing on HAVs’ panel. This year’s record-breaking event welcomed over 100,000 attendees from 60 countries, in addition to a 57% increase in delegations compared to previous years. Hosting a range of exciting new technologies, such as the NEBOair Electric Arrows using Pipistrel’s Velis Electro aircraft, the show saw over £81.5 billion in commercial deals announced, which are expected to benefit the UK economy by at least £13 billion.
Windracers
Attending as part of the UKRI presence, Windracers made a strong impression at the airshow this year. The event proved a great opportunity for new prospects and key partners alike to discuss sustainable aviation and the ULTRA project with the team. Engaging with several media publications, Windracers was featured in video stories by NHK Japan and Airways Magazine. In addition to this, the show led to the generation of video content for future use and supporting content from UKRI.
Hybrid Air Vehicles
Former marketing director at EasyJet Tony Anderson chaired a highly informative panel on the benefits of zero-emissions regional aviation. Joined by representatives from HITRANS and Air Nostrum, the panel gave attendees valuable insights into the aviation industry. The discussion centred on progress on the pathway to service for HAV’s first production aircraft the Airlander 10 and how it will support improving connectivity in the Highlands and islands region. This innovation will contribute to the reduction of emissions and the target of achieving a net zero regional aviation system by 2040.
Left to right: Miguel Angel Flacon, vice president of Air Nostrum, David Holden, regional aviation manager, HITRANS, George Land, Executive Director Sales, Hybrid Air Vehicles, and former EasyJet marketing director, Tony Anderson
Cranfield Aerospace
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions had a fantastic week showcasing their hydrogen flight simulator and getting the opportunity to talk to a variety of people about the work underway to develop zero emission aircraft and propulsion technologies.
Some highlights included:
Chief Strategy Officer Jenny Kavanagh had the pleasure of meeting with the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP. CEO Paul Hutton caught up with Aviation Minister Mike Kane to discuss progress made since he visited Cranfield earlier this year. The team also had the chance to discuss their work with Civil Aviation Authority CEO, Rob Bishton.
A partnership with EVIA Energy, an affiliate of EVIA AERO GmbH was announced at this year’s airshow. The organisations will work on the development of airport infrastructure to enable both electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft operations at regional airports.
They also supported the release of EA Maven‘s report on UK Regional Air Mobility Opportunity which leverages Cranfield’s operational data. The report findings indicate that the Hydrogen B-N Islander can access 90% of the 684 potential routes identified, offering significant economic and environmental benefits across its region of operation.
Manufacturing Manager Emma Stubbs was featured on The Aerospace Growth Partnership panel for Future Leaders in Aviation alongside some other great young talent.
Second from left: Jenny Kavanagh, Chief Strategy Officer, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions; Second from right: Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP; Right: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
Flare Bright
Flare Bright had a very positive experience at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. The event was used primarily as a forum to engage with existing customers, clients and collaborators, as well as to develop new relationships with potential partners. Flare Bright was also honoured with an introduction to the new Secretary of State for Defence Rt Hon John Healey, providing the opportunity to discuss Flare Bright’s growth as an SME within the aerospace industry and the role various government departments/organisations, including UKRI and the MoD, have had in driving this success. Additionally, they demonstrated to the Secretary of State the value that Flare Bright’s GPS-free navigation solution can bring to Small Unmanned Aerial Systems.
UHI
UHI was very impressed with the emerging talent on display at the airshow this year. The ‘Pioneers of Tomorrow’ day saw exhibitors fielding interesting and thought-provoking questions from the event’s younger attendees. Equally impressive was Windracers’ ULTRA project, which demonstrates that the SATE consortium’s work sits at the forefront of sustainable aviation technology.
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