Despite the fact that we have projected a timeframe for the industry to reach its goal over the next few years, it is without a doubt possible to do so.

At the moment, the topic of sustainability in business aviation is one that is currently gaining a lot of attention. Despite this, there are still a number of questions that need to be answered regarding how the industry can achieve its zero-carbon-emissions target by the year 2050 in order to achieve its sustainability targets. 

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According to the conversations that Rich Report had with a number of experts on this topic, it is obvious that there will be many challenges in the coming years as a result of the current economic climate. 

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It focuses on developing and certifying clean-burning aircraft powered by electric and hydrogen technology, including new electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The other question that needs to be addressed is how to expand the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (which is capable of reducing carbon emissions by up to 80 percent over conventional Jet A fuel) as well as bringing its price down. 

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There is also an increase in the efficiency of new business jets being produced by the aircraft manufacturers. Additionally, there is also the issue of improving the efficiency of our nation's air traffic control systems so that aircraft are not stuck in long flight patterns while waiting to land at the airports like they were a few years ago. 

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The road to sustainability may not be clear at this point, but what is evident is that in order for this to happen, it will take multiple pieces from a variety of players. In order to achieve the goal of 2050, we have projected a timeline that shows how we will get there.

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In 2023, about 60 million gallons of low-emissions, blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be sold across all US flights, with about 12 percent being used by private jets. Jet A and A-1 types account for 99.9 percent of all jet-aircraft fuel usage today. A total of 375 eVTOL designs are currently being developed at the moment. 

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The first eVTOL aircraft will enter service by 2025, and this will be followed by several hybrid-gas-electric aircraft, while prototypes from Airbus and Embraer will demonstrate hydrogen-fuel cell propulsion in the future.

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It is estimated that by 2030-2035, the use of SAF in US aviation will reach 3 billion gallons, as refineries and distribution channels have expanded to meet the demand. With six major market leaders expected to emerge within the next few years, eVTOLs as well as hybrid-gas-electric planes will become mainstream. 

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In the meantime, hydrogen-fueled aircraft, as well as battery-powered aircraft, have begun to enter service. By 2050, all forms of aviation will consume 35 billion gallons of SAF, and Jet A and A-1 fuel will make up 25 percent of the fuel used. As well as hybrids and hydrogen propulsions, there are also more environmentally friendly forms of propulsion that are becoming mainstream.