Emirates Announces €180 Million Fund To Help Airlines Reach Net Zero Emissions

The money will fund research and development projects aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels in aviation.

Emirates is creating a $200 million (€183m) fund to decarbonise the aviation sector.

The UAE's flag carrier airline made the announcement on Thursday ahead of releasing its annual report.

The money will fund research and development projects aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.

The airline, owned by Dubai's government, said the funding would be distributed over three years.

The fund aims to help the industry hit net zero targets

"It’s clear that with the current pathways available to airlines in terms of emissions reduction, our industry won’t be able to hit net zero targets in the prescribed timeline," airline President Tim Clark said in a statement. 

"We believe our industry needs better solutions, and that’s why we’re looking to partner with leading organisations."

Emirates separately will aim to use so-called sustainable aviation fuel as well when possible - though it remains incredibly scarce in the market. 

In January, the airline successfully flew a Boeing 777 on a test flight with one of its two engines entirely powered by the fuel.

The announcement also comes ahead of Dubai hosting the COP28 climate talks in November.

Emirates saw record profits in 2022

The long-haul carrier also announced a profit of $2.9 billion (€2.65b) on Thursday, cementing last year as its most profitable ever.

The airline offered the figures in its annual report, which said the carrier had revenue of $29.3 billion (€26.8b).

The 2022 profit comes after the company posted a $1.1 billion (€1b) loss in 2021, when the pandemic shut down global aviation. The airline said revenue was up year-on-year by 81 per cent.

"We had anticipated the strong return of travel," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates, said in a statement. "And as the last travel restrictions lifted and triggered a tide of demand, we were ready to expand our operations quickly and safely to serve our customers."

RECENT NEWS

Ceramics In Italy, Glass In Czechia: Take The Train To These Traditional Crafts Centres In Europe

From clay-sculpting to glasswork, here are the ancient skills you can learn about and how to reach where they are still ... Read more

Which European Airports Have The Most Direct Flight Connections?

Serving 294 destinations, Türkiye’s Istanbul Airport came out on top, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterd... Read more

Cuba Tourism Crisis: An Industry Brought To Almost Total Paralysis

Cuba’s tourism industry has been hit hard by US sanctions and fuel shortages, with nearly three-quarters of hotels now... Read more

The Worlds Top 10 Cities For Street Food Have Been Revealed

Surprisingly, Europe dominates the top 10 list, with Paris claiming the number one spot for its street food options. Read more

Will The Coolcation Travel Trend Change The Geography Of International Tourism?

Cooler summer holidays are proving popular as peak heat sways travellers’ choices beyond the Mediterranean. Experts we... Read more

Nobu To Launch New Hotel, Restaurant And Residences In Portugals Algarve Region

With its second destination in Portugal, the Nobu hospitality brand will introduce a new hotel, restaurant and residenti... Read more