Announcing the finalists for The Aviation Challenge 2024

The game-changing finalists of The Aviation Challenge 2024 are unveiled 

As the aviation industry continues to embrace the challenge of building a sustainable future, The Aviation Challenge (TAC) is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2024 awards.

All submissions were rigorously evaluated by our expert panel and jury, ensuring the process was robust, credible, and independent.

The 2024 TAC awards honor exceptional contributions across three main categories: Advancing Adoption, Boosting Collaboration, and Empowering Sustainability.

This year, the Challenge brought together a record number of 24 participating airlines and celebrated the execution of 33 showcase flights. Beyond these flights, participants submitted an astounding 327 innovative solutions, demonstrating a collective commitment to reducing environmental impact.

These incredible innovators, collaborators, and game-changers have gone above and beyond to redefine what’s possible in aviation sustainability.

Here’s a closer look at what each category represents and the inspiring finalists:

Category 1. Advancing Adoption: ‘Putting It Into Practice’

This category celebrates airlines that successfully implement and scale innovative solutions to drive measurable sustainability outcomes. Finalists have demonstrated the ability to move from ideas to impactful actions, addressing key operational areas such as cargo, inflight services, ground operations, and more.

Sub-Categories and Finalists:

• Best Scaled Cargo Solution:
  • Vietnam Airlines – Lightweight ULDs and e-AWBs, scaled across 10,000 flights.
  • Air Europa – Lightweight aluminum containers, reducing weight by 15 kg per container.
  • SAS – Recycled cardboard pallet planks, weighing 80% less than wooden alternatives, reducing 37 tons of CO2 emissions in 2024.
• Best Scaled Inflight Solution:
  • Aeromexico – Bluetooth-enabled inflight entertainment, eliminating disposable headphone waste.
  • Delta Air Lines – First-of-its-kind onboard paper cup, saving over three million kg of plastic annually.
  • KLM – Sustainable staff sneakers, scaled across operations for enhanced well-being.
• Best Scaled FlightOps Solution:
  • SAS – Fleet-wide fuel efficiency program, focusing on the most efficient flight paths to reduce emissions.
  • TUI – Optimized flight management using high-resolution weather data.
  • Air Europa – Real-time dynamic flight path adjustments to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel burn.
• Best Scaled GroundOps Solution:
  • Air France – Electrification of 70% of ground service equipment, aiming for 100% by 2030.
  • KLM Cityhopper – Using 69% electrified ground equipment for greener operations.
  • Saudia Airlines – GSE movement optimization platform to improve efficiency.
• Best Scaled Catering Solution:
  • TUI – Reusable inflight service equipment, reducing single-use plastics by 97% and CO2 emissions by 87 tonnes.
  • Kenya Airways – Traditional African bread baskets replacing single-use plastic.
  • Shanghai Airlines – Lightweight trays reducing fuel consumption by 22.31 tons.
• Best Scaled MRO Solution:
  • Air France – EcoPower engine wash program, reducing CO2 emissions and hazardous waste.
  • KLM Cityhopper – Increased engine washing program applied across the entire fleet.
  • Xiamen Air – Engine core compressor washing to optimize fleet-wide performance and reduce emissions.

Category 2. Boosting Collaboration: ‘Working Together’

Collaboration is key to driving meaningful progress. This category recognizes airlines that have built partnerships, engaged their customers, or fostered teamwork across their organizations to deliver sustainable solutions.

Sub-Categories and Finalists:

• Best Customer Collaboration:
  • JamboJet – Sustainability initiatives, including organic menus, seedling distribution, and quizzes.
  • SAS – Scandinavian collaboration through social media and passenger engagement.
  • Air Europa – “Flight 2030 – Engage to Reduce” campaign, encouraging passengers to reduce their environmental footprint.
• Best Team Collaboration:
  • Garuda Indonesia – “Zero Waste to Zero Emissions” initiative engaging the entire organization.
  • China Airlines – “Getting Everyone Involved” initiative, showcasing cross-departmental collaboration.
  • Kenya Airways – Sustainability champions program empowering cross-departmental collaboration.
• Best Partnership:
  • KLM – Partnership with GE Aerospace on engine water wash program.
  • TUI – Zero Carbon Turn Project, applying hydrogen power to ground operations at Exeter Airport.
  • Air Europa Express – Zero-emission ground operations at Madrid Airport.
• Best Knowledge-Sharing Contribution:
  • Virgin Atlantic – Flight100 campaign with publicly available insights and knowledge-sharing calls.
  • KLM Cityhopper – Innovation ecosystem supporting airline-wide participation.
  • China Eastern – Knowledge-sharing articles with 50,000 page views.

Category 3. Empowering Sustainability: ‘Embedding It in the Business’

Sustainability is more than a project – it’s a mindset embedded in every aspect of operations. This category acknowledges airlines that have established effective systems, tools, and leadership to embed sustainability into their broader business practices.

Sub-Categories and Finalists:

• Sustainable Supply Chain Excellence:
  • Air Europa – Sustainability practices across the supply chain, optimizing resources and reducing environmental impact.
  • KLM – CO2 pricing in supply chain tenders.
  • KLM Cityhopper – Supply chain objectives for reducing plastic and emissions.
• Best Approach to Scaling SAF:
  • Kenya Airways – Supporting local SAF production, scaling efforts from their previous Innovation Award.
  • KLM Cityhopper – SAF Boarding Zone program, increasing SAF sales by 47%.
  • Korean Air – First Korean airline to fly with domestically produced SAF.
• Best Climate Literacy:
  • China Airlines – Adoption of TCFD for climate-related risk management.
  • Kenya Airways – Multi-level sustainability training programs.
  • TUI – Employee training and engagement to enhance climate literacy.
• Best Approach to Roles & Responsibilities:
  • TUI – Sustainability Community embedding environmental responsibility.
  • KLM Cityhopper – Gedion Gang concept for scalable team leadership.
  • Delta Air Lines – Carbon Council and sustainability-focused KPIs across operational divisions.
• Data & Insights Pioneer:
  • Virgin Atlantic – Contrail forecasting model using advanced technologies.
  • KLM – Integration of ESG data into financial systems.
  • Tarom – Fuel efficiency improvement software.
• Future Proofing Strategies:
  • TUI – Contrail avoidance initiative addressing non-CO2 impacts.
  • China Airlines – Comprehensive 2050 Net Zero Carbon strategy.
  • KLM – Zero Emission Aviation program.

Introducing the TAC Special Recognitions

In addition to the main award categories, we are proud to announce the introduction of TAC Special Recognitions for 2024. These honors spotlight extraordinary achievements that drive groundbreaking progress in reducing aviation’s environmental impact.

The recipients of these Special Recognitions will be revealed at the Jeddah 2024 Connect Event, making this an announcement you won’t want to miss!

What’s Next: Jeddah 2024 Connect Event

Join us at the Jeddah 2024 Connect Event to celebrate these achievements, announce the Special Recognitions recipients, and continue driving innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in aviation.

Congratulations to all the finalists for your incredible contributions to a more sustainable aviation industry!