Comparison of direct–indirect emissions of conventional and advanced technologies in European aviation

This research aims to investigate and compare new and existing technologies and their impact on overall emissions during climb, cruise, and descent (CCD). The data is obtained from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Environmental Agency related to fuel flow rates, types of aircraft and engines, and emission factors. Based on the data obtained, the nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions of each aircraft are carefully analyzed to estimate accurately their impact on the environment. The developed fuel flow model considers various factors to estimate the fuel consumption of selected aircraft and provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental influence of each aircraft. The findings of the study reveal that in scope 1, traditional aircraft generate 27% higher emissions than biofuel-powered (100% blend with Jet-A1 fuel) aircraft, and this disparity increases to 31.4% when compared to hybrid electric aircraft. The analysis shows that electric aircraft emissions are 85.1% lower than conventional aircraft. Furthermore, it is estimated that in the majority of instances involving the chosen aircraft, the levels of NOx emissions are consistently greater in comparison to HC. Further, this study offers valuable insights to policymakers and regulators in their efforts to develop more effective emission regulations and incentives for the aviation industry, particularly concerning CCD emissions. It also provides a comparison of the top 10 European airports that are responsible for the highest emissions in Europe based on the data provided by OAG. In general, the results of this study possess the capacity to stimulate innovation and facilitate the advancement of environmentally friendly aircraft technology within Europe. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.