Theme Sustainable aviation

Sustainable aviation

Competitive aerospace

Safe and secure society

Theme Sustainable aviation

In Europe, we are striving towards a climate-neutral society by 2050. The aviation industry plays an important role in this; the ambitions of the sector were set out in the Aviation Policy Memorandum and in Destination 2050. If climate neutral aviation is to become a reality, we need to commit to the development of radical innovations, at both the technological and societal level.

Showcase:
Climate neutral aviation

In terms of technology, new propulsion technology, aircraft design and alternative fuels are key areas. To make the new technologies socially relevant, the existing infrastructure also needs to be adapted. This means, for example, that there is a sufficient supply of climate-neutral fuels at airports. In terms of society, thought must be given to more climate friendly flight routes, regulation, economic conditions and consequences, and societal acceptance.

Together with leading Dutch aviation companies, research organisations and the government, NLR wants to become one of the world’s smartest and sustainable players in the aviation sector.
Societal challenge 2050

NLR’s ambition is to help make climate neutral aviation possible by 2050.
Goal 2025

In 2025 we will carry out a manned flight powered by liquid hydrogen. NLR is translating the first steps in this new technology into a hydrogen powered flight with our electrically propelled research aircraft. In 2025 we will demonstrate the steps taken in the societal challenge of sustainable aviation with the Pipistrel PH-NLX. Besides this, the development of new operational concepts is vital if the transition to sustainable aviation is to be made possible.

Discover our programmes

NLR programmes are multidisciplinary programmes, who together with our knowledge basis, these programmes contribute towards our objectives within the three themes Sustainable aviation, Competitive aerospace and Safe and secure society.