6th General Assembly of the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation: Key Developments and Future Directions
On October 27, 2025, the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA) convened its 6th General Assembly at EUROCONTROL’s headquarters in Brussels. Established in 2022 under the auspices of DG DEFIS, AZEA now encompasses over 200 stakeholders from across the aviation sector. Its members include aircraft manufacturers, operators, airports, energy suppliers, fuel providers, and regulatory bodies, all working collaboratively towards a sustainable future in aviation.
Opening Remarks and Strategic Importance
EUROCONTROL, a founding partner of AZEA, has played a vital role in hosting this significant event for the fourth consecutive year. The General Assembly commenced with a keynote video message from Daniel Attard, a member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee. Mr. Attard underscored AZEA’s pivotal role within the European aviation landscape and emphasized the urgency for adaptations in both airport infrastructure and airspace to facilitate the transition towards zero-emission aviation.
Objectives and Roadmap Development
The primary aim of this assembly was to outline ongoing efforts to formulate a comprehensive Roadmap encompassing the entire aeronautical ecosystem. This Roadmap is intended to serve as a crucial step in executing the vision for the deployment of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, which was laid out in June 2024.
- Key Takeaways:
- Presentation of the Roadmap draft by a consortium led by Deloitte and the aviation consultancy To70, selected by the European Commission for this task.
- The finalized version of the Roadmap is anticipated to receive approval from AZEA by Q1 2026.
Updates from Working Groups
During the meeting, various Working Groups within AZEA provided updates on their current initiatives and outlined plans for 2026, following the Roadmap’s completion. This collaborative approach aims to ensure ongoing momentum in the journey toward sustainable aviation solutions.
Insights from the European Commission and Financial Institutions
The assembly featured insightful presentations from several European Commission representatives, focusing on critical aspects such as:
- Updates on aviation policy development.
- Overview of the existing regulatory framework for zero-emission aviation.
- Presentation of proposals related to the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
In attendance was also the European Investment Bank (EIB), which detailed its advisory services aimed at bolstering the development of cleantech and zero-emission aviation projects.
Innovative Projects and International Collaboration
The General Assembly showcased several presentations on zero-emission aviation initiatives from various entities, including:
- Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA Norway)
- ZeroAvia
- European Regions Airline Association (ERAA)
- Swedavia
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)
These presentations highlighted progress in:
- The International Test Arena for Zero and Low-Emission Aviation in Norway.
- Advanced planning for hydrogen test flight demonstrations set to occur across Europe, paving the way for future operational capabilities.
- An overview of discussions from the ERAA’s General Assembly.
Additionally, two EU-funded projects were introduced, focusing on airport readiness for zero-emission flights: ‘Green Infrastructure at Swedavia airports’ and the ALRIGH2T initiative.
Conclusion
The 6th General Assembly of AZEA underscored a pivotal moment in the transition to sustainable aviation, showcasing an array of collaborative efforts and innovative projects. With an ambitious Roadmap on the horizon, AZEA is positioning itself to lead the charge in transforming the European aviation sector and enhancing its competitiveness on a global scale. Through ongoing partnerships and strategic initiatives, the Alliance is diligently working to ensure that the European airspace can successfully support the deployment of zero-emission aircraft in the near future.
