Milestone
This requires key regulators (e.g., EASA, FAA) to create temporary, monitored pathways for innovation. This allows innovators to co-develop safety cases in a live environment, such as in a designated trans-Atlantic corridor for testing autonomous cargo flights.
If sandboxes are not created, radical new technologies will be stuck in an outdated certification process. This will stall innovation for a decade, causing gaps in financial resources to widen as investors see no path to market.
Scenario
Optimising together
Context Factor
A unified global regulatory, legal, and data framework for the net-zero transition and seamless air travel.
Timeline
Short term
PESTEL
Empower global institutions with a binding mandate for the net-zero transition.
This action involves convening member states to formally grant key bodies (e.g., ICAO) binding regulatory and enforcement powers, moving them beyond their current advisory-only status to create a single, level playing field.
Read moreAchieve TRL 6 ground-test validation for all key net-zero propulsion technologies
This involves moving all promising propulsion concepts from the lab to a full-system demonstration. This means building and successfully ground-testing complete hydrogen powertrain systems (both combustion and hydrogen fuel cells) and hybrid powertrain systems (e.g., SAF & electric battery) to prove their fundamental viability before first flight.
Read moreLaunch pilot programs for advanced operational and aerodynamic concepts.
This involves launching the first small-scale, real-world tests for advanced operational concepts using existing aircraft. This includes demonstrating the fuel-saving potential of concepts like formation flight and continuous descent approach in controlled, live airspace to prove their value.
Read moreEstablish global 'living labs' to co-create new technologies with citizens.
This requires a large-scale, transparent public engagement and education campaign. It must proactively address public concerns and build consensus around the safety of high-impact technologies, such as the risks of on-airport hydrogen storage.
Read more"... innovative companies that want to scale up in Europe are hindered at every stage by inconsistent and restrictive regulations." (The future of European competitiveness (2024), p. 6)
"In parallel, certification authorities such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) must have adequate resources and be ready to test, certify and approve the large number of (often disruptive) new products expected, and to do so in good time." (Destination 2050 (2025), p.33)