Feature

Flying in the face of sustainability

From Heathrow’s long-debated third runway to the proposed doubling of capacity at Gatwick and Luton, it seems the UK Government is hurtling forward under the banner of economic growth. But we must ask: growth for whom, and at what cost?

02/06/2025 16:47:14

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The aerospace sector is notoriously one of the most difficult to decarbonise, hindered by weight and size constraints, long innovation cycles, and the fact that crucial technologies, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and hydrogen, are relatively costly and yet to be rolled out at scale.

Whilst the sector navigates this challenging path to net zero, its environmental impact is already being felt in the form of air quality, noise pollution, and health impacts. Thinktank Transport & Environment asserts that London has the worst air pollution of any city in the world, thanks to its six airports.

Heathrow alone has the second highest emissions (just behind Dubai), emitting 19.1m tonnes of CO2 annually. And that’s before the upcoming expansion.

Read the full article in DPA's June 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.