In this episode, we speak with Lena Wennberg, Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström, Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia, which owns and operates 10 airports across Sweden, connecting the country both internally and with the rest of the world.

Wennberg and Forsström discuss:

1. Swedavia’s achievement of fossil-free operations in 2020 in their own airport operations, backed by committed leadership that views sustainability as a “license to operate.”
2. Their ambitious goal to enable fossil-free domestic flights in Sweden by 2030, primarily through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with plans to reach 10% SAF usage.
3. Swedavia’s incentive program that covers 50% of the premium cost for airlines refuelling with SAF, plus their procurement of SAF for their own business travel for the last nine years.
4. The airport’s preparations for future technologies, including charging infrastructure for electric aircraft at smaller airports and collaboration with Airbus on hydrogen infrastructure.
5. The balancing of sustainability with operational needs in a country where air travel is essential due to the vast geography.
   
   

As industry leaders working towards fossil-free aviation since long before it became mainstream, Swedavia offers a compelling example of how airports can transform environmental commitments into tangible action while maintaining operational excellence.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Strategy for sustainability - Swedavia 

Swedavia allocates SEK40m for SAF incentives - SAF Investor 

Swedavia raises SEK 2 billion through green bond issuance to support sustainable investments and operations - International Airport Review 

Airbus, SAS, Swedavia and Vattenfall pave the way for hydrogen aviation in Sweden and Norway - Airbus

In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo, Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org, a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action. 

Mirolo discusses:

1. The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation CO2 emissions since the jet age.
2. The concentrated nature of the problem, with just 5% of flights causing about 80% of aviation’s contrail warming effect, primarily over Europe, North America, and the North Atlantic.
3. Contrails.org’s three-pillar approach focusing on science (improving understanding of contrail impacts), technology (developing open-source tools and protocols), and adoption (raising awareness and fostering incentives).
4. The cost-effectiveness of contrail mitigation compared to other decarbonisation options, with studies suggesting only 0.11% extra fuel burn across airline fleets.
5. The vision for seamless integration into airline operations, where contrail avoidance becomes as routine as avoiding turbulence or adverse weather.

Contrails.org seeks to be an open, collaborative space, with Mirolo likening it to “a tent under which people can put their furniture.” Its goal is to address the contrail issue through collective effort, recognising that effective management requires coordination across the aviation sector.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Alejandra Martín Frías, Head of Sustainability Research at FLIGHTKEYS, who shared insights into the company’s research on contrail avoidance. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Contrails.org

How airplane contrails are helping make the planet warmer - Yale e360 

Feasibility of contrail avoidance in a commercial flight planning system: an operational analysis - IOPscience 

Understanding contrail management: opportunities, challenges, and insights - RMI

In this episode, we speak with Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines, who leads Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainable aviation technologies. Saleh shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability investments and their vision for decarbonising the industry.

Saleh discusses:

1. The founding vision for Alaska Star Ventures, which was established to accelerate the development of technologies that don’t yet exist but are essential for achieving net zero.
2. The investment strategy that started with partnerships with firms to gain expertise before making direct investments, resulting in nearly $90 million deployed to date across various aviation sustainability technologies.
3. Strategic investments in companies like Jet Zero, a blended wing aircraft that could deliver up to 50% fuel reduction.
4. The airline’s approach to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investments through companies like Twelve and Air Company, focusing on Power-to-Liquid technology that produces fuel from air and water.
   
   

Saleh emphasises that sustainability investments are “going to give rise to whole new industries that don’t exist yet today,” highlighting Alaska Airlines’ approach to shaping the future of sustainable aviation.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Eveliina Huurre, SVP, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares the airline’s comprehensive approach to sustainability as it celebrated its centenary last year. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Alaska Airlines launches investment arm to accelerate progress to net zero - Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines announces investment in JetZero to propel innovative aircraft technology and design - PR Newswire

Alaska Airlines’ venture lab spins out its first startup: Odysee - TechCrunch   

ESG - Alaska Airlines 

In this episode, we speak with Eveliina Huurre, Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Finnair, who shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability and their ambitious targets to reduce emissions. 

Huurre discusses:

1. The employee engagement initiative that yielded 300 sustainability ideas, with 100 selected for implementation during Finnair’s centenary celebrations, ranging from small cultural changes to more substantial investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
2. Finnair’s science-based target to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 34.5% by 2033 (using 2023 as the baseline), translating to approximately 13% net reduction in absolute CO2 emissions, despite expected growth.
3. The central role of SAF in Finnair’s sustainability strategy, with plans to increase its usage from 0.4% in 2023 to 1.8% in 2024, and to double voluntary SAF purchases in 2025.
4. Finnair’s approach to operational efficiencies, including fuel-saving strategies like optimised aircraft allocation, pilot training for fuel efficiency and single engine taxiing.
5. Innovative customer engagement through a simple SAF contribution option in the booking process, allowing passengers to contribute between €3-15 per flight, with early adoption exceeding expectations.
6. The importance of industry collaboration at national, European and global levels, working with organisations like IATA, oneworld alliance (on joint SAF purchases), and A4E on policy frameworks to enable the energy transition in aviation.

Huurre emphasises that making aviation sustainable isn’t about “who gets there first, but how we do this together,” highlighting Finnair’s approach to the challenges and opportunities in advancing sustainable air travel.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Grace Cheung, General Manager of Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about the airline’s “greener together” approach to sustainable aviation. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Sustainability - Finnair 

Finnair announces 100 sustainability efforts to mark 100 years - Inflight

6 highlights of our sustainability work from last year - Finnair

Finnair sets 34.5% reduction target for emissions intensity by 2033, driving a 13% absolute CO2e cut - Travel And Tour World 

In this special episode, we bring together Patrick Edmond, Managing Director of Altair Advisory, and Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, to discuss whether aviation demand management is a myth or a necessary component of climate action. 

Moderated by Dirk Singer, SimpliFlying’s Head of Sustainability, the discussion stems from a heated LinkedIn exchange between Patrick and Shashank, sparked by Shashank’s reflections after speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. As the debate gained momentum online, many called for a live conversation – so we decided to host the debate on Sustainability in the Air.

The debate covers:

1. The fundamental tension between airline growth ambitions and climate goals, with Shashank sharing insights from his Davos roundtable where aviation CEOs emphasised unfettered growth instead of sustainable growth.
2. The concept of the “guilt premium” versus the “good global citizen premium” in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption to achieve price parity, with Patrick arguing that systemic policy changes are needed rather than relying on individual airline actions.
3. The relationship between ticket pricing and travel behaviour, and whether raising ticket prices can curb aviation demand.
4. The frequent flyer problem, with a small percentage of travellers accounting for a disproportionate share of emissions, and why a frequent flyer levy is an effective solution.
5. Unexpected silver linings, such as how loyalty program changes might inadvertently encourage more sustainable corporate travel practices.

In the end, despite their differing perspectives, Shashank and Patrick found common ground, agreeing that while technological innovation is crucial, broader systemic approaches are needed to address aviation’s growing climate impact.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Lee Beck and Thomas Walker of the Clean Air Task Force who discuss the complex challenges and innovative solutions for decarbonising the aviation industry. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Why “flying less” offers the best path to sustainable aviation - T&E

Aviation likely to be the UK’s leading emitter by 2040, forecasts Climate Change Committee - GreenAir News 

Aviation demand management’s role in deep decarbonisation pathways - Possible 

In this episode, we speak with Lucca Ewbank, Program Manager, Transport at InfluenceMap, who shares how the non-profit think tank uses data-driven analysis to assess corporate engagement with climate policies, and holds the corporate and financial sectors accountable for their role in climate change.

Ewbank discusses:

1. The significant disparity between what airlines say publicly versus what they advocate for in private meetings with policymakers, uncovered through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests that reveal how industry associations often oppose stronger climate regulations.
2. The clear split within the aviation sector between “positive leaders” (typically low-cost carriers) who support more ambitious climate policies, and “laggards” (legacy carriers) who often oppose extensions of emissions trading schemes.
3. Concerns about sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies, particularly how some industry players advocate for feedstock calculations that might underestimate emissions.
4. The aviation industry’s consistent opposition to demand management measures, with examples of airlines taking legal action against flight caps at airports.
5. The role investors can play in encouraging positive climate policy engagement by holding companies accountable for their lobbying activities and pushing for transparency between public commitments and private advocacy.

Ewbank emphasises that while there are encouraging signs from some industry leaders, aviation emissions continue to grow rapidly even as other sectors reduce their climate impact, with EU aviation emissions rising 9.5% in 2023 while overall EU emissions fell by 8%.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Matt Finch, UK Policy Manager at Transport & Environment, who discusses the need for more ambitious policies and actions to address aviation’s environmental impact. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

InfluenceMap

New research shows major US airline and biofuel industries push for weaker US sustainable aviation fuel policy - InfluenceMap 

US Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) policies and corporate engagement - InfluenceMap 

EY, Capgemini & InfluenceMap: How to close the 'Say-Do Gap' - Sustainability Magazine 

In this episode, we speak with Jan Toschka, CEO of Zaffra, a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol.  Toschka shares insights about scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and why he believes the aviation industry must take responsibility for its own decarbonisation rather than relying on other sectors.

Toschka discusses:

1. The unique positioning of Zaffra, combining Topsoe’s expertise in low-carbon HEFA technology with Sasol’s experience in building and operating large-scale gas-to-liquid facilities, positioning them strongly in both renewable and synthetic SAF production.
2. His perspective on financing SAF infrastructure, breaking down the seemingly daunting €250 billion European investment needed by 2050 into more manageable numbers – about €10 billion annually, which could be funded by approximately €10 per passenger across Europe's billion annual travellers.
3. The complementary role of different SAF technologies, with HEFA being the most de-risked pathway currently available, whilst power-to-liquid (PTL) solutions are expected to provide at least 50% of SAF volume in 20-30 years.
4. The importance of both mandates and incentives in driving SAF adoption, with EU mandates helping de-risk demand whilst US incentives under the IRA make investments more manageable. Toschka suggests a combination of both approaches, similar to the UK model, might work best.
5. The strategic approach to SAF distribution, advocating for focused deployment at 20-30 major hub airports initially, supported by book-and-claim systems, rather than attempting immediate widespread distribution across all airports.

Toschka emphasises that whilst the aviation industry should pursue multiple decarbonisation pathways including hydrogen and electric aircraft, SAF remains the only viable solution for long-haul aviation in the foreseeable future, and the industry cannot afford to wait for perfect solutions whilst existing aircraft continue operating.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sarah Ellerby, CEO of Nova Pangaea Technologies (NPT), a UK-based cleantech company that has created a patented technology to enable SAF production from agricultural and forestry waste. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Zaffra

Sasol and Topsoe launch Zaffra: A venture to help decarbonise aviation - Renewable Energy Magazine 

In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung, General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay, who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain.

Cheung discusses:

1. Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environmental initiatives into understandable business language for stakeholders and customers.
2. Cathay’s ambitious target of achieving 10% SAF usage by 2030, including their innovative partnership with HSBC Hong Kong and EcoCeres to develop local SAF supply chains in Asia.
3. The evolution of sustainability at Cathay, from early voluntary environmental reporting in 1998 to today’s comprehensive approach involving fleet modernisation, with a HKD100 billion investment in over 100 new aircraft over the next seven years.
4. How cross-industry collaboration in sustainable aviation, particularly through oneworld Alliance and International Air Transport Association (IATA) partnerships, allows airlines to share best practices for environmental progress. Cheung chairs the oneworld alliance Environment & Sustainability Board and is Vice Chair of the IATA Sustainability & Environment Advisory Council.
5. The challenges of funding SAF’s price premium and potential solutions, including government initiatives like Singapore’s SAF levy and Hong Kong’s upcoming SAF usage targets.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Cathay Pacific 

Cathay sets new 2030 carbon intensity target in support of its 2050 net-zero goal - Cathay Pacific 

HSBC Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific and EcoCeres partner to support SAF use 

Cathay to invest over HKD 100 billion to enhance product and customer experience - ETTravelWorld 

In this episode, we speak with Dick Benschop, Chair of the Board at Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), 

an alliance of climate leaders focused on supercharging efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.

Benschop discusses:

1. The challenge of decarbonising aviation amid rapid growth with focus on both efficiency and sustainable fuels.
2. How blending mandates can break the “chicken and egg” problem between SAF suppliers and airlines, with Europe’s 2% mandate in 2025 serving as a catalyst for market development. Currently, there are 40 SAF plants in operation and 10 with Final Investment Decision (FID), representing about 50% of 2030 capacity needs, with 143 more plants announced*.
3. The importance of smart environmental constraints over simple capacity caps, advocating for declining noise and CO2 emission limits that allow airlines to “earn their place” through innovation.
4. The potential for electric and hydrogen aircraft to serve up to one-third of aviation energy demand by 2050, with electric planes operational by 2030 and hydrogen aircraft following by 2035.
5. How breaking down silos between sectors can accelerate decarbonisation, using lessons from aviation’s blending mandates to inform solutions in other industries like green fertiliser production.

Benschop emphasises that achieving net-zero aviation requires looking beyond individual sectors to system-wide solutions, highlighting the need for coordinated action across industry, government and consumers. 

*Note: The podcast mentions different figures for the number of SAF plants needed. The numbers cited above reflect MPP’s latest analysis, which shows that actual plants are larger than initially assumed, meaning fewer total plants are needed to meet 2030 capacity targets. 

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Andrew Chen, Principal for Aviation Decarbonisation at RMI, who shares the non-profit’s multi-faceted approach to aviation decarbonisation. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

Mission Possible Partnership

Aviation - Mission Possible Partnership 

Aviation Net Zero Explorer - Mission Possible Partnership

Mission Possible Partnership unveils how three of the most carbon intensive industries can reach net zero by 2050 and cut emissions in the next decade - RMI 

In this episode, we speak with Anna Stratton, Associate Director, Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform for philanthropy that has granted over $2 billion to climate solutions across 50 countries. 

Stratton shares insights into how philanthropic funding can drive aviation’s transition to net zero while ensuring emerging markets aren’t left behind. She discusses:

1. The crucial role of philanthropy in advancing sustainable aviation solutions through research, analysis, and policy development
2. Why Europe’s ReFuelEU policy sets a strong standard for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandate with its long-term outlook to 2050, specific e-fuel requirements, and robust sustainability safeguards
3. The potential of hydrogen for short and medium-haul flights, and the innovative approach of collaborating with shipping sector for infrastructure solutions
4. Why contrail mitigation represents an exciting near-term opportunity for emissions reduction, and the importance of monitoring and verification
5. The need to reimagine aviation growth, particularly focusing on high-flying groups like corporate travelers

Stratton emphasises that while industry focuses heavily on SAF, a comprehensive vision for net-zero aviation must include multiple solutions. She also outlines how philanthropy can strategically support civil society in driving aviation’s sustainable transformation, highlighting the need for both technological innovation and behavioural change.

Please note: This interview was recorded in September 2024. ClimateWorks has since updated its 2024 transportation grants, with $5.5M allocated to aviation, $72.3M to road transportation, and $13.3M to maritime shipping, bringing the total to $91.1M. The updated data is available on their website.

If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with  Sally Davey, CEO of Travalyst, who shares insights about transforming the travel industry through collaborative data initiatives. Check it out here. 

Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.

Feel free to reach out via email to [email protected]. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.

Links & More:

ClimateWorks Foundation

Transportation - ClimateWorks Foundation

Less is more: How reducing demand for unnecessary business flights can help curb aviation emissions - ClimateWorks Foundation

Decarbonising aviation gains momentum with new net-zero goal - ClimateWorks Foundation