Henley Professor contributes to UK’s Sustainable Aviation policy

How can government policy keep sustainability at the heart of UK aviation, responding to rising aircraft emissions, evolving clean-energy technologies, and the intention to expand Heathrow by constructing a third runway?

Alongside MPs, industry leaders and researchers, Professor Brian Scott-Quinn discussed these questions at the ESG Parliamentary Liaison Group session into sustainable aviation in February this year.

Drawing on his work in advanced aviation technologies, Professor Scott-Quinn highlighted the transformative potential of hybrid‑electric aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, sustainable fuels and next‑generation airframe design.

He outlined how these innovations could significantly reduce emissions, cut noise, and enable much shorter take‑off and landing distances, opening new regional routes and reshaping the UK’s national transport system to the benefit of the regions.

He encouraged policymakers to integrate technology roadmaps more fully into national aviation strategy, noting that advances in ultra‑short‑runway aircraft could change the long‑term case for a third runway at Heathrow or enable expansion with a much shorter and much lower cost runway.

His contributions supported the roundtable’s call for a whole‑system approach linking aviation policy with clean energy, regional development and industrial strategy.

The session and its recommendations came ahead of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel bill discussion in the House of Commons.