Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has announced more than £100 million of government and industry funding to support pioneering green aviation technology projects, kicking off the Farnborough Airshow 2024.
This initiative confirms the government’s commitment to supporting the aviation and advanced manufacturing sector as part of its new industrial strategy.
The funding, totalling just under £103 million, is being delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) programme. It will support five major aerospace R&D projects led by industry giants GKN Aerospace, Queen’s University, Rolls-Royce, Short Brothers and ZeroAvia. The projects aim to drive innovation in zero-emission hydrogen aviation, sustainable propulsion systems and advanced turbine technologies. The initiative is expected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs and attract further investment into the UK’s aerospace sector.
The announcement comes on the heels of new data from the aerospace industry trade body ADS, which said the sector contributed £38 billion to the UK economy in 2023.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Our global aerospace sector added nearly £40 billion to the economy last year and by supporting the development of cutting-edge new technologies we are driving economic growth and supporting highly skilled jobs in every part of the UK. It is fitting that I am launching this new support here at the Farnborough Air Show, where the best of British innovation is being showcased on the world stage, reinforcing our commitment to putting innovation and manufacturing at the heart of our industrial strategy.”
Gary Elliott, Chief Executive of the Institute of Aviation Technology, praised the initiative, saying: “The Institute of Aviation Technology programme continues to target investment in world-class research projects that will benefit the UK aviation industry: accelerating technology development, growing our manufacturing capabilities, strengthening our supply chain and ensuring the sector continues to generate economic returns for the UK. The projects announced today focus on advanced technologies that take us a major step towards sustainable aviation, from new lightweight materials to new fuel systems. We look forward to building on this investment to support an ambitious industrial strategy.”
Rolls-Royce Research and Technology Director Alan Newby added: “The Hotline project, along with other projects supported by ATI, will improve the cost competitiveness and product performance of our current and future engines, which is vital not only to meet industry and government net zero targets, but also potential growth opportunities for the UK.”
This major investment in green aerospace technology not only heralds significant progress in sustainable aviation, but also reinforces the UK’s position as a leader in global aerospace innovation.