In this episode, we speak with Aaron Robinson , Vice President of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the International Airlines Group (IAG), which has become the top airline globally for SAF use. IAG is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two . You can learn more about the book and order a copy here . Robinson discusses: How IAG leveraged European incentives, Heathrow Airport programmes, and emissions trading schemes to make SAF economically ...
Jul 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 136
In this episode, we speak with Suzanne Neufang , CEO of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), who shares how the world’s leading business travel association is transforming corporate travel to accelerate aviation decarbonisation through industry collaboration. Neufang discusses: How sustainability priorities amongst travel managers more than doubled from 8% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, though the industry baseline remains at just 1.3 out of 5 on GBTA's sustainability maturity scale. Why sust...
Jun 26, 2025•47 min•Ep. 135
In this episode, we speak with Anders Forslund , Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace , who shares the radical transformation his electric aircraft company has undergone in the past year — relocating from Sweden to Los Angeles and fundamentally changing how aerospace companies operate in the 21st century. Forslund discusses: Why Heart moved its operations to the US despite strong European roots, driven by the need to access customers, suppliers, and investors in the world’s largest aerospace ma...
Jun 12, 2025•40 min•Ep. 134
In this episode, we speak with Tom O'Leary , CEO and co-founder of JetZero , which is developing the world's first commercial blended wing body (BWB) aircraft that promises to revolutionise aviation efficiency and passenger experience. JetZero is one of the visionary companies featured in our new book Sustainability in the Air: Volume Two . You can learn more about the book and order a copy here . O'Leary discusses: JetZero's mission to bring the first all-wing jet to market by the early 2030s, ...
May 29, 2025•52 min•Ep. 133
In this episode, we speak with Marion N Chivot-Legris , Director of ESG & Sustainability Strategy at Edmonton International Airport (YEG), who shares how the Canadian airport is leveraging its unique position to drive sustainability innovation across the region. Chivot-Legris discusses: YEG’s transformation into a “sustainability engine” for the entire region, building an integrated ecosystem that brings together clean energy companies, logistics, agri-food technologies, and education beyond...
May 15, 2025•48 min•Ep. 132
In this special episode, SimpliFlying’s CEO Shashank Nigam and Head of Sustainability Dirk Singer sit down with senior leaders from three companies featured in their upcoming book, Sustainability in the Air, Vol. II . Joining the conversation are Jonathon Counsell (Group Head of Sustainability, IAG ), Diana Birkett Rakow (SVP of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Alaska Airlines ), and Ashwin Jadhav (VP of Business Development, Twelve ). Together, they explore how their organisations are address...
May 01, 2025•50 min•Ep. 131
In this episode, we speak with Jolanda Stevens , Program Manager for Zero Emission Aviation at KLM , who shares how the airline is preparing for a more sustainable future of aviation through innovative technologies and strategic investment in emerging solutions. Stevens discusses: KLM’s unique approach to innovation with a dedicated team focused on the “disruptive” aviation technology, working on future solutions like electric and hydrogen aircraft whilst maintaining their core flight operations...
Apr 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 130
In this episode, we speak with Martin Gauss, former CEO of airBaltic, who transformed the Latvian flag carrier into one of Europe’s most innovative airlines while connecting the entire Baltic region. Gauss discusses: The benefits of operating a single-fleet airline with the highly efficient Airbus A220-300, resulting in 30% lower fuel consumption than older generation aircraft and contributing to airBaltic's path to carbon neutrality by 2050. airBaltic’s innovative dual business model that combi...
Apr 17, 2025•40 min•Ep. 129
In this episode, we speak with Amaury Barberot , CEO of Expliseat , about how the company's innovative lightweight seating technology is delivering immediate sustainability benefits for airlines while improving their bottom line. Barberot discusses: Expliseat's revolutionary aircraft seat design made from carbon fibre and titanium that is 30% lighter than comparable products, saving approximately 1,200 kilograms when retrofitted on an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. The immediate environmental impact...
Apr 10, 2025•35 min•Ep. 128
In this episode, we speak with Lena Wennberg , Chief Sustainable Development Officer, and Therese Forsström , Head of Environmental Department at Swedavia , which owns and operates 10 airports across Sweden, connecting the country both internally and with the rest of the world. Wennberg and Forsström discuss: Swedavia’s achievement of fossil-free operations in 2020 in their own airport operations, backed by committed leadership that views sustainability as a “license to operate.” Their ambitious...
Apr 03, 2025•41 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, we speak with Matteo Mirolo , Director of Strategy & External Relations at Contrails.org , a science-led nonprofit initiative aimed at transforming contrail research into practical climate action. Mirolo discusses: The substantial climate impact of contrails, which are responsible for 1-2% of human-caused global warming and have roughly the same warming effect as all aviation CO2 emissions since the jet age. The concentrated nature of the problem, with just 5% of flights cau...
Mar 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 126
In this episode, we speak with Pasha Saleh , Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines , who leads Alaska Star Ventures, the airline’s corporate venture capital arm focused on sustainable aviation technologies. Saleh shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability investments and their vision for decarbonising the industry. Saleh discusses: The founding vision for Alaska Star Ventures, which was established to accelerate the development of technologies that don’t yet exist ...
Mar 20, 2025•48 min•Ep. 125
In this episode, we speak with Eveliina Huurre , Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Finnair , who shares insights about the airline’s approach to sustainability and their ambitious targets to reduce emissions. Huurre discusses: The employee engagement initiative that yielded 300 sustainability ideas, with 100 selected for implementation during Finnair’s centenary celebrations, ranging from small cultural changes to more substantial investments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Finnair’s ...
Mar 13, 2025•42 min•Ep. 124
In this special episode, we bring together Patrick Edmond , Managing Director of Altair Advisory , and Shashank Nigam, CEO of SimpliFlying, to discuss whether aviation demand management is a myth or a necessary component of climate action. Moderated by Dirk Singer, SimpliFlying’s Head of Sustainability, the discussion stems from a heated LinkedIn exchange between Patrick and Shashank, sparked by Shashank’s reflections after speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. As the ...
Mar 06, 2025•56 min•Ep. 123
In this episode, we speak with Lucca Ewbank , Program Manager, Transport at InfluenceMap , who shares how the non-profit think tank uses data-driven analysis to assess corporate engagement with climate policies, and holds the corporate and financial sectors accountable for their role in climate change. Ewbank discusses: The significant disparity between what airlines say publicly versus what they advocate for in private meetings with policymakers, uncovered through Freedom of Information (FOI) r...
Feb 27, 2025•34 min•Ep. 122
In this episode, we speak with Jan Toschka , CEO of Zaffra , a joint venture between Topsoe and Sasol. Toschka shares insights about scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and why he believes the aviation industry must take responsibility for its own decarbonisation rather than relying on other sectors. Toschka discusses: The unique positioning of Zaffra, combining Topsoe’s expertise in low-carbon HEFA technology with Sasol’s experience in building and operating large-scale gas-to-li...
Feb 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 121
In this episode, we speak with Grace Cheung , General Manager, Sustainability at Cathay , who shares insights about industry collaboration, and why she believes making aviation “greener together” requires participation from every stakeholder in the value chain. Cheung discusses: Her journey from marketing communications to sustainability and how her background helps “translate” complex environmental initiatives into understandable business language for stakeholders and customers. Cathay’s ambiti...
Feb 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 120
In this episode, we speak with Dick Benschop , Chair of the Board at Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), an alliance of climate leaders focused on supercharging efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors. Benschop discusses: The challenge of decarbonising aviation amid rapid growth with focus on both efficiency and sustainable fuels. How blending mandates can break the “chicken and egg” problem between SAF suppliers and airlines, with Europe’s 2% mandate in 2025 serving as a catalyst for marke...
Feb 06, 2025•50 min•Ep. 119
In this episode, we speak with Anna Stratton , Associate Director, Aviation at ClimateWorks Foundation , a global platform for philanthropy that has granted over $2 billion to climate solutions across 50 countries. Stratton shares insights into how philanthropic funding can drive aviation’s transition to net zero while ensuring emerging markets aren’t left behind. She discusses: The crucial role of philanthropy in advancing sustainable aviation solutions through research, analysis, and policy de...
Jan 30, 2025•47 min•Ep. 118
In this episode, we speak with Matthew Gorman , Director of Carbon Strategy and Sustainability at Heathrow Airport . With 16 years at the helm of Heathrow's sustainability initiatives, Gorman shares how one of the world’s busiest airports is tackling aviation’s climate impact while maintaining its crucial role in global connectivity. Gorman discusses: Heathrow’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) incentive scheme, which creates a funding pool through landing charges to help airlines bridge the cost...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 117
In this episode, we speak with Sally Davey , CEO of Travalyst . Founded in 2019 by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, Travalyst is a not-for-profit coalition that brings together leading companies from the travel and technology sectors. Davey shares insights into Travalyst’s mission and its impact on making tourism more sustainable through collaborative data initiatives. She discusses: How Travalyst has united competing travel giants like Google, Booking.com, and Expedia to work together on susta...
Jan 16, 2025•50 min•Ep. 116
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Christoph Gebald , co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks , one of the world’s leading direct air capture (DAC) companies. Gebald shares insights into Climeworks’ journey and vision for the future, and the crucial role of carbon removal in achieving sustainable aviation. He discusses: How their direct air capture technology (DAC) removes CO2 from the atmosphere and stores it permanently underground through mineralisation. Climeworks has achieved a significant tech...
Jan 09, 2025•50 min•Ep. 115
In this special holiday episode, we re-visit conversations with six aviation industry executives about their approaches to sustainability and decarbonisation. Scandinavian Airlines CEO Anko van der Werff shares how regional environmental consciousness shapes their strategy, combining SAF adoption with electric and hydrogen partnerships. Their first electric flight is scheduled for 2028. Alaska Airlines SVP Diana Birkett Rakow details their 2040 net-zero target, with initiatives including employe...
Jan 02, 2025•27 min
In this special holiday episode, we explore conversations with five industry leaders developing innovative sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production technologies. INERATEC CEO Tim Boeltken explains their modular e-fuel technology that converts green hydrogen and CO2 into carbon-neutral liquid fuels. They aim to transform 1 gigawatt of renewable energy into 125 million gallons of sustainable e-fuel by early 2030s. LanzaJet CEO Jimmy Samartzis discusses their alcohol-to-jet technology, which effi...
Dec 26, 2024•24 min
In this episode, we speak with Valérie Guénon , Vice President of Product Environment Policies at Safran Aircraft Engines . She shares insights into how the company aims to tackle its environmental challenges through innovative engine design and sustainable fuel integration. Guénon discusses Safran’s comprehensive approach to aviation sustainability, and highlights: The RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, developed in partnership with GE Aerospace that features an in...
Dec 19, 2024•56 min•Ep. 114
In this episode, we talk to Kennedy Ricci, President of 4AIR , who shares insights into how business aviation can accelerate sustainability initiatives that could benefit the entire industry. 4AIR helps private aviation stakeholders implement impactful sustainability programs, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and industry commitments through independent reviews. Ricci explains 4AIR’s broad approach to aviation sustainability, that extends beyond traditional carbon offsetting. H...
Dec 12, 2024•41 min•Ep. 113
In this episode, we speak with Christina Cassotis , CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), who shares her ambitious vision for transforming the airport into a sustainable aviation hub. Cassotis discusses Pittsburgh’s unique position and innovative approach to aviation sustainability. She highlights several key initiatives: PIT has achieved a remarkable milestone as the world’s first fully off-grid major airport. Through a public-private partnership, the airport commissioned a microgrid i...
Dec 05, 2024•46 min•Ep. 112
In this episode, we talk to Professor Robert Miller , Director of the Whittle Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, who shares why 2030 targets are crucial for the aviation industry’s transition towards net zero. Miller is also the head of the Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA), a collaboration between the Whittle Laboratory and the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. The AIA recently released the “ Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation ” report which outlined 4 key Su...
Nov 28, 2024•55 min•Ep. 111
In this episode, we talk to Anna Stukas , Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at 1PointFive , who shares insights into how direct air capture (DAC) technology works and its crucial role in aviation’s journey to net zero. Stukas, who has been working in carbon capture since 2015, discusses her role in commercialising DAC technology and developing strategic partnerships to scale this critical climate solution. Stukas discusses: The fundamental role of DAC in climate action, explaining how it ...
Nov 21, 2024•53 min•Ep. 110
In this episode, we talk to Dr Florian Allroggen , Executive Director, Aerospace Climate & Sustainability, and a Research Scientist in MIT ’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics , who shares insights into the science of contrails and their impact on aviation’s climate footprint. Allroggen discusses his role, focusing on understanding aviation’s environmental impact and developing solutions for a net-zero pathway. He highlights several key issues: The formation of contrails as ice clou...
Nov 14, 2024•49 min•Ep. 109
