A UK taskforce has been set up to accelerate the development of zero-emissions flying, with the goal of offering everyone the chance to travel "guilt-free".
The taskforce will be led by Rachel Gardner-Poole, an industry expert with more than 20 years of experience in military and commercial aviation, and will benefit from an additional £685m in funding over the next three years via the Aerospace Technology Institute programme.
Gardner-Poole said: "I am passionate about using innovation and technology to create a positive impact on our planet and look forward to collectively addressing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us.”
Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps added: “From the first jet engine created here in the UK, Britain is truly a world-leader in flying. Now we are determined to revolutionise flying and we want to see everyone have the opportunity to travel guilt-free.
“We are determined to bring forward the flight technology of the future, and through our new Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group, we will help create thousands of jobs around the country and take another step toward zero-emission flights.”
In addition, Government is providing £125m of support for Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge. This will be matched by £175m from the aerospace industry.
The Challenge will provide funding for projects researching zero-emission flight, including those advancing electric flight technologies.
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