MOBILE, AL/TOULOUSE: By November this year Airbus will start delivering A220 and A320 aircraft to customers from its US manufacturing facility using a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sourced from World Energy and supplied by Signature Flight Support.

The announcement is one of several climate-mitigating projects by Airbus that also includes installing a fuel-saving software upgrade to the flight management systems of 200 A320s operated by LATAM Airlines.

The function will allow the aircraft to descend from cruise altitude using only idle engine thrust to reduce fuel consumption and therefore CO2 and NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions.

LATAM expects each aircraft to save 100 tons of fuel and cut GHG emissions by over 300 tons annually with the upgrade.

In Toulouse, an Airbus research and technology (R&T) programme has assembled its first full-size new wing prototype to test the use of composite materials and technology in aerodynamics and wing architecture.

Three wing demonstrators will bring together more than 100 new technologies to determine new manufacturing and assembly techniques with the goal of making aviation more sustainable.

“Wing of Tomorrow, a crucial part of Airbus’ R&T portfolio, will help us assess the industrial feasibility of future wing production,” explained Airbus CTO Sabine Klauke. “High-performing wing technology is one of several solutions - alongside SAF and hydrogen - we can implement to contribute to aviation’s decarbonisation ambition. Wing of Tomorrow is also an example of how large-scale industry collaboration will be critical to achieving our sector’s agenda for a more sustainable future.”