Commission requested to develop an environmental protection directive proposal.

The world of aviation is gearing up for a greener future, with Germany leading the news. On September 25, 2023, the 3rd National Aviation Conference was held at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg, under the title "Aviation: innovative and climate-neutral."

The conference, attended by 400 individuals, emphasised the economic importance of aviation, with Hamburg, as the world's third-largest location for civil aviation, being described as a driver of innovation. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored this significance, highlighting the potential for innovation in the aviation sector.

Hamburg Airport, a key player in this landscape, is looking to reduce its carbon footprint. It aims to cover its energy demand with its own wind farm, a move that aligns with the German government's goal of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045, as stated in its Climate Protection Act.

Airbus, a major player in the aviation news, is contributing to this green transition. The new A321 XLR, produced largely at the Hamburg-Finkenwerder site, reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat by 30% compared to the previous generation. If equipped with the Sharkskin Technology, this saving could potentially increase by up to three percent.

Innovation doesn't stop at traditional aviation. The Munich startup Vaeridion is developing a new battery-powered aircraft with a range of up to 500 km, scheduled to take off by 2026. Although not directly named in the provided search results, a relevant mention is Joby Aviation, a key player in electric aircraft development, based in Marina, CA, with significant test flights.

The German government is also supporting the decarbonization of aviation through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Volker Ratzmann, Executive Vice President Corporate Public Affairs of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, emphasised the importance of SAF, while the German government has expressed a high level of ambition for the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation, which includes a commitment to increase the use of SAF at EU airports by 2050.

In a significant step towards this goal, a Dornier 328 was handed over to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) as a flying test laboratory for testing promising propulsion, fuel, and system technologies for the decarbonization of aviation.

Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, also announced the development of an Advanced-Air-Mobility-Strategy to make Germany more attractive for operators of unmanned electrically powered aircraft.

As the aviation industry looks to the future, it's clear that Germany is committed to leading the way in sustainable aviation news. With initiatives like these, the skies above Hamburg may soon be filled with greener planes, heralding a new era for aviation.