The IATA Technology Roadmap provides an overview and assessment of fuel-efficient technology opportunities for future aircraft, including improved engine efficiency, aerodynamics, lightweight materials and structures as well as radical new configurations. Furthermore the benefits of these technologies for aviation emissions are estimated on a world-fleet scale, and the effects of new aircraft developments under changing market conditions are considered.
The IATA Technology Roadmap was produced in cooperation with two leading aviation research establishments, the German Aerospace Center DLR and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and with inputs from numerous aviation experts.
Technology delivers results for CO2 reductions
four pillars (technology, operations, infrastructure, economic measures) of the IATA strategy to achieve the aviation industry’s high-level emissions reduction goals, technology delivers the highest improvement benefits. Each new aircraft generation brings a step change in technology, leading to at least 15% fuel-efficiency improvement.
New-generation aircraft planned for the next decade are expected to reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions by 25 to 40% compared to the aircraft they will replace. In all aircraft size categories fuel efficiency is expected to be improved by 1 to 2% p.a., with the strongest improvements in the large fleets of regional and single-aisle aircraft.
Download IATA Technology Roadmap (pdf) and Technical Annex (pdf)