Electrification of the Skies

At the Porsche Consulting Virtual Roundtable “Electrification of the Skies” key players of the industry discussed the future of aviation and sustainability. The recording of the live event provides valuable insights about the need to make aviation more sustainable and meet customer expectations.

Around 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are currently caused by the aviation industry. The highest per passenger contribution to emissions stems from short-haul flights (<500 km). The reduction of CO2 and other GHG emissions is therefore key for an industry that is aiming for net zero by 2050. The electrification of the skies on regional routes seems to be the obvious solution in order to achieve full decarbonization. However, it comes with various challenges on both the supply and demand fronts:   

Can the introduction of battery-powered short and conventional takeoff aircraft enable zero emission flying?

Will electrification provide a commercially viable and sustainable mobility option in the near future? 

What challenges have to be overcome to kick-start electric flying on commuter and regional routes? 

Our panelists Matheu Parr, Customer Director of Rolls-Royce Electrical, Martina Di Palma, Head of Environmental and Social Group of European Regions Airline Association, Andreas Klöckner, Head of Program Strategy Aeronautics of Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Andreas Kollbye Aks, Chief Strategy Officer of Widerøe AS, Norbert Werle, CEO of Air 2 E and Marc Landgraf, Partner Porsche Consulting discussed these central questions and found possible strategies for accelerating the electrification of the skies.