Sustainable aviation: Technology’s Impact on Modern Aviation

In 2025, sustainable aviation has become an urgent imperative rather than an aspirational goal. The sector is one of the top GHG (Greenhouse gas) emissions worldwide and accounts for 2-3% of the global CO2 emissions, IATA reports. The industry is under pressure from regulations and consumer awareness to reduce its environmental impact. While balancing regulatory pressure, airlines are also faced with air travel demands. This creates a complex challenge of balancing operational efficiency, embracing digital transformation and achieving high sustainability targets.

By 2050 the aviation industry has committed to net-zero carbon emissions - a goal that demands not just incremental improvements, but transformative technological solutions. While sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and fleet modernisation form crucial parts of this transformation, the role of digital innovation and custom software solutions has emerged as a powerful catalyst in accelerating the industry's journey toward more sustainable aviation. From optimising flight routes to transforming ground operations, technology is proving to be indispensable for a greener aviation.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the current sustainable aviation's state and future goals and we’ll discuss potential ways how custom software solutions play a vital role in decarbonising aviation.

The current state of sustainability in aviation

Alongside personalisation, innovations in ground operations and wider NDC usage, sustainable aviation continues to be among the top aviation trends. In fact, airline sustainability is said to be the driver behind the fourth revolution in aerospace. The first revolution made flying possible, the second one focused on safety and the third one made air travel accessible to the masses. Now, the surging air travel and ever-growing passenger demands towards flying experiences reshaping the aviation industry. The graph below illustrates the impact of democratised air travel and lets us observe the dramatic spike of nearly 150% aviation emissions since 1990s:

In 2019 alone, aviation was responsible for emitting approximately 915 million tonnes of CO2, highlighting the urgent need for transformative action. Regulatory frameworks such as the EU Emissions Trading System and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) have been established to guide the industry toward more sustainable practices. Following CORSIA, since 1 January 2019 all airline operators with emissions of CO2 greater than 10K tonnes/year from international flights are required to report them.

In response, airlines worldwide have made public commitments to ambitious sustainability targets. Given that there are many involved stakeholders - from commercial airlines, international airports, aircraft manufacturers, fuel producers as well as various vendors and aviation experts - it’s not hard to understand why progress towards green aviation might be slow. But while we wait for Airbus' first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft to be market-ready by 2035, there are lots of other strategies to be applied towards greener aviation. Let's see some of the most promising ones.

Key strategies for sustainable aviation

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) adoption

Sustainable aviation fuel is an alternative type of fuel design to reduce the environmental impact of aviation companies. SAF is made of municipal waste, oils, agricultural residues as well as non-food crops which makes it a way more sustainable option compared to traditional fossil fuels. But fossil fuels “aren’t going anywhere” according to SimpliFlying Sustainable Aviation Outlook Report 2024. By 2050, the expected fleet number is bound to double to 44,000 and at best, it will all run on a mixture of both SAF and kerosene. Governmental policies have a big saying in what and how happens in terms of SAF in aviation though. For example, we saw how the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, implemented by the EU in 2023, established the world's most comprehensive SAF mandate, requiring airlines to progressively increase their sustainable aviation fuel usage.

However, even SAF isn’t completely carbon neutral - its GHG emission is calculated based on its full lifecycle from harvesting to distribution. An expert SAF report by RSB estimates that this alternative fuel type can account for 10 to 90% GHG reductions in carbon footprint and significantly aviation’s net-zero goals. But then again, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has set a minimum of 2% mandatory SAF use in 2025 and grow to 6% by 2030. In this area, change might be slow but other high-tech areas promise to make a quicker impact on a more sustainable aviation. Let’s go through some of them: 

Operational efficiency improvements

Improvements in aviation’s operational efficiency represent one of the most immediate and cost-effective strategies towards sustainability. IATA’s Net Zero 2050 factsheet discusses lightweight aircraft cabin equipment such as electronic flight bags and retrofitting winglets (saving 4% in fuel) but also air traffic management (ATM) such as performance-based navigation and surface congestion management.  

With advanced data-driven software solutions and decision-making, airlines can in fact radically transform their operations. Even real-time weather patterns, and aircraft performance metrics to determine optimal routes and flight levels, resulting in fuel savings of 2-5% per flight.

Ground operations optimisation

By streamlining processes and adopting eco-friendly technologies, ground operations at airports can also significantly contribute to a greener aviation. Let’s take an intelligent traffic control system as an example. Whenever a plane is approaching the airport, the system can automatically assign the optimal gate based on multiple factors like aircraft specifics, connecting flights or baggage handling routes. Instead of an aircraft waiting around and burning fuel, the system ensures its gate is ready. If a particular arrives 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, such a smart system can automatically adjust ground crew schedules and change gate assignments to minimise waiting time. 

Fleet modernisation

Although a costly endeavour, fleet modernisation is a key success strategy for achieving more sustainability in aviation. Switching older and less efficient planes for more technologically advanced aircraft models, can help airlines significantly reduce their CO2 footprint. Some modern jets can consume up to 30% less fuel compared to their predecessors. Additionally, they come with cutting-edge aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and more efficient engines - all this translates to less fuel consumption and lower GHG emissions. 

Earlier in January, Lufthansa Group's value airline, Eurowings, has approved the acquisition of 40 brand-new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, representing one of the largest fleet modernisation in European aviation history. British Airways’s commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency has also been reflected in their recent order of 42 additional next-gen aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing. 

Technologies driving digital transformation in aviation

New technologies both in terms of hardware and software are shaping the future of aviation. But technologies run on data. And with data being “the new raw material of the future” according to Dr. Lars Schwabe. In order for companies to innovate and adopt new more efficient technologies like AI, they should first make sense of their already available data. If we think of digital transformation in aviation as an end result, there are many steps that precede it. From data audits and establishment of data quality standards to infrastructure improvements such as legacy system modernisation or cloud computing, digital transformation is a step-by-step process. With this in mind, let’s discuss some of the trending technologies shaping aviation’s digital transformation.

Cloud & multi-cloud technologies

With a CAGR of 16,1%, the aviation cloud market is estimated to reach $12.9 billion by 2029. Being a top aviation technology trend, cloud computing is a step in the right direction for airline’s digital transformation projects. These are becoming increasingly complex to achieve with legacy mainframe-based infrastructure and companies risk staying behind if they don’t adopt more scalable technologies like cloud. But cloud technologies offer way more beyond operational efficiency benefits - they also have an impact on aviation’s sustainability. A cloud-based infrastructure comes with reduced energy consumption compared to on-premises data centers and thus lower carbon footprint through shared resource optimisation. 

Artificial intelligence in aviation

Artificial intelligence is reshaping most industries and aviation makes no exception. AI can be a game-changing force for airlines if implemented correctly and we’ll just name a few of the numerous use cases here:

• Predictive maintenance: By in-depth analysis of behavioral patterns and predicting potential failures before they occur, AI&ML model development can help airlines reduce aircraft downtime and optimise maintenance procedures. 
• Supply chain management: Given that even a single aircraft consists of up to 3 million parts, supply chain and inventory management can be challenging and data-intensive. AI and ML algorithms can analyse historical usage patterns, perform real-time monitoring of critical parts and provide automated reordering when necessary. Analysing millions of pricing data points, such AI solutions can quickly identify cost-saving opportunities across the supply chain
• Flight crew scheduling: Efficient management of flight crew schedules is crucial for both operational efficiency and sustainability in the aviation industry. AI software solutions can optimise crew scheduling by analysing various factors such as crew availability, qualifications, legal requirements, and flight patterns. Then, AI algorithms can generate optimal schedules that maximise crew utilisation while minimising downtime and reducing the need for last-minute changes or additional flights to reposition crew members. 

Biometric technologies at airports

Biometric technology is rapidly transforming aviation operations, with an ever-increasing global adoption. During the last two years, Statista reports a 12%(from 34% to 46%) increased number of passengers who have used biometrics at the airport. Biometric systems, incorporating facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris detection, streamline passenger processing while significantly reducing paper waste from traditional boarding passes. But other than these benefits, the integration of biometric systems with other digital platforms enables precise passenger flow management, reducing terminal congestion and associated carbon emissions from idle times and inefficient resource allocation.

AR and VR in aviation

The market for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in aviation is projected to reach $1,372 million this year according to Business Airport International. AR and VR can have multiple use cases in the aviation sector such as AR-guided repairs or ground operation trainings. For example, IATA has developed a RampVR tool that helps train ground operation professionals ensuring a safe and comfortable but still realistic training environment (ramps can be both dangerous and noisy). Another use case of AR and VR is probably in pilot training. Such video-supported trainings can have a direct impact on sustainability in aviation. By enabling virtual pilot training, AR or VR systems might reduce the need for fuel-intensive physical flight training hours.

How custom software solutions contribute to sustainability in aviation

According to the latest SimpliFlying report on sustainability in aviation and sustainable aviation technologies in particular. As it turns out, custom software and AI solutions play a key role in optimising flight operations and reducing fuel consumption. Let’s review a couple of examples:

Flight operations optimisation

Targeted optimisations in flight operations are probably one of the most impactful areas where custom software solutions can contribute. With advanced algorithms and real-time data analysis, airlines can now optimise every aspect of their flight operations for maximum fuel efficiency. What’s more, tailor-made flight planning systems have access to multiple data streams - from real-time weather forecasts to aircraft performance metrics and air traffic data. This real-time data combined with historical flight data can help them to calculate the most fuel-efficient routes.

As an experienced custom aviation software development company Dreamix developed a custom flight planning solution for a large private jet company. Their process of determining the optimal route was complex as it involved accessing meteorological conditions, checking for no-fly zones, Flight Information Region (FIR), and more. Also, the creation of the Flight Plan - a document that later on lands in the pilot’s hands required logging into different systems and extracting various flight-relevant information. Our client realised the process was both time-consuming and subject to human error. Dreamix helped them automate the Flight Plan creation process using technologies such as AWS, Spring-Boot, Kubernetes, Docker and did an integration with Jeppesen. With regards to flight operations optimisations, our custom automated software successfully resulted in saving the company about 7.5 years of manual work.

Load optimisation software

A standard Airbus consumes 2-3 tonnes of kerosine per hour depending on how much it weighs and how this load is distributed. Load optimisation software solutions can have a significant impact on aviation sustainability thanks to real-time analytics capabilities. These systems integrate comprehensive passenger and cargo data, continuously analysing load distribution patterns to achieve optimal weight balance across the aircraft. By processing real-time updates on passenger check-ins, baggage and cargo weights, the software can dynamically adjust load placements to maintain ideal center of gravity and optimise fuel consumption. That's a crucial factor given that every additional kilogram of weight requires approximately 0.15-0.20 kilograms of extra fuel per flight hour on narrow-body aircraft. 

In-flight service management software

Modern in-flight service management systems drive sustainability through data-driven waste reduction and eco-friendly operations. These platforms can track waste metrics across flights, monitoring uneaten meals, packaging materials, and disposable items to optimise inventory and reduce excess catering. Also, integration with passenger feedback systems can provide insights into sustainability preferences and consumption patterns, enabling airlines to further refine their sustainable catering options.

According to the World Economic Forum, up to 25% of cabin waste is untouched food and beverages. Real-time tracking shows that airlines implementing these systems typically achieve 15-20% reductions in food waste and up to 30% increases in sustainable material usage through better demand prediction and portion control. The software also facilitates the transition to eco-friendly materials by monitoring sustainability KPIs like the percentage of biodegradable packaging used and recycling rates. Last but least, such initiatives directly affect passenger satisfaction scores, creating a positive feedback loop that encourages further adoption of sustainable practices.

Below are some other suggestions of how modern technology and custom software solutions in particular can have a huge impact on sustainability in aviation:

Strategic partnerships in sustainable aviation technology

Sustainable aviation technology has become a critical focus for airlines seeking to reduce their environmental impact while optimising operational efficiency. However, when implementing these solutions, partnering with experienced aviation software development companies is crucial for success. These partnerships provide airlines with proven expertise in developing and integrating complex systems like fuel optimisation software, sustainable waste management platforms, and real-time analytics tools.

Being part of IATA's Strategic Partnerships Program, Dreamix brings deep domain knowledge of aviation-specific requirements, compliance standards, and sustainability best practices, ensuring solutions are both effective and properly implemented. This is why aviation companies need to seek partnerships with established aviation software solutions vendors. Not only does this help airlines stay ahead in their sustainability initiatives but also future proof their businesses with digitalisation and achieve operational excellence.

Sustainable aviation: Next steps

The transformation of aviation's sustainability requires alignment with established sector-wide environmental objectives. In a safety-first conservative industry such as aviation progress towards Net Zero isn't bound to happen overnight. In terms of greener operations, success is measured through operational KPIs once aircraft are deployed, ensuring real-world sustainability outcomes match industry targets. This evaluation process spans fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and broader environmental impact goals across the transportation ecosystem.

Current regulations are undergoing a fundamental shift toward more sustainable aviation, which creates both challenges and opportunities for stakeholders. Advanced digital technologies and custom software solutions play a critical role in meeting these ever-evolving requirements. From fuel optimisation systems to emissions tracking platforms, digital solutions can enable airlines to monitor their compliance and measure, and achieve greener operational efficiency.