Enabling ATM greener operations

Although aviation is often criticised for its environmental impact, it accounts for only 2.41% of global CO₂ emissions. Nevertheless, the industry must demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. Thales is leading the way by developing real-time monitoring tools, flight optimisation solutions, and collaborative ATM platforms to reduce emissions in the short term—without waiting for next-generation aircraft.

Thales is enabling greener aviation today with Air Traffic Management (ATM) innovations that can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 10% in the short term, making aviation more sustainable and efficient.

Aviation’s Perception Crisis vs. Reality

For years, aviation has faced intense public scrutiny over its environmental impact. High-profile protests—from Manchester in 2007 to Montreal in 2019—have shaped public opinion, often overstating the industry's contribution to CO₂ emissions.

Yet, data tells a different story:

Aviation contributes 12% of transport-related CO2 emissions but only 2.41% of total human-induced emissions. Airlines are investing in fuel-efficient aircraft and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) to cut emissions further.

"The opinion crisis against aviation is not new," says Benjamin Binet, VP Strategy Airspace Mobility Solutions at Thales. "The industry must act now to change the narrative by demonstrating concrete actions toward sustainability."

Three Levers for a Greener Future

The aviation industry is addressing CO₂ reduction through three key approaches:

1. Fleet renewal – Investing in low-carbon aircraft to reduce emissions by 15-20%.
2. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) – Transitioning to bio-based jet fuel to cut CO₂  by 5-10%.
3. Optimised Air Traffic Management (ATM) – Implementing eco-friendly flight operations to reduce CO₂  by 10-15%.

"While fleet renewal and SAF will bring long-term benefits, ATM is the fastest way to cut emissions today," explains Binet. "And Thales is playing a key role in this transformation."

Making Air Traffic Management More Sustainable

In June 2020, Patrice Caine, CEO of Thales, committed to cutting aviation CO₂ emissions by 10% through improved onboard and ground system collaboration.

Thales is achieving this goal by:

• Developing a universal emissions measurement system – Standardising CO₂ tracking across aviation actors.
• Providing real-time environmental insights – Tools like Flights Footprint help airlines and passengers understand flight emissions.
• Enhancing collaboration between pilots and air traffic controllers (ATC) – The Green Flag platform optimizes flight trajectories in real time.

"Environmental transition is not just about products—it’s about rethinking operations," says Denis Bonnet, VP Innovation Avionics at Thales. "By working with local partners, we are developing innovative approaches to facilitate CO₂ reductions."

Think Global, Start Local: Scaling Up Sustainable Operations

Thales is testing Flights Footprint and Green Flag in France, with plans to scale these solutions across Europe.

"COVID-related travel restrictions provided a unique opportunity to test greener operations," says Binet. "We experimented with new solutions without compromising safety."

Future innovations will also consider contrail impact, adding another dimension to sustainable flight planning.

"By taking a holistic approach to aviation’s environmental footprint, we can drive meaningful change," adds David Antonello, AMS Green Operations project leader.