The Aviation Challenge 2023

The Aviation Challenge 2023 was driven by three core objectives: adoption, extension, and expansion.

TAC 2023 encouraged airlines to explore bold, practical solutions for operating more sustainably within their existing networks. By openly sharing insights and innovations, the challenge promotes collective learning and progress across the global aviation industry.

This initiative also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), reinforcing the industry’s role in advancing global sustainability efforts.

Result
TAC 2023 brought together 22 participating airlines to implement practical solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact. Airlines tested and showcased a wide range of initiatives, from operational improvements to fuel and waste strategies, competing for recognition across 31 award categories.

TAC 2023 Recap Videos

Explore a selection of videos from our SkyTeam member airlines who participated in The Aviation Challenge 2022. These clips highlight the real-world sustainability initiatives implemented during their memorable showcase flights.

Impact

Participants

Participants in The Aviation Challenge are committed to finding new ways to reduce the industry’s footprint and help move more sustainable air travel forward. Looking ahead, the goal is to expand participation and deepen collective impact.

Aerolíneas Argentinas
Aeroméxico
Air Europa
Air France
China Airlines
China Eastern
Delta Air Lines
Endeavor Air
Garuda Indonesia
Kenya Airways
Jambojet
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Cityhopper
Korean Air
Middle East Airlines
Saudia
Shanghai Airlines
TAROM
Vietnam Airlines
XiamenAir
ITA Airways
Award Winners
Winner
Lowest CO2 Emissions
TAROM
Maximised Operational Efficiency Through Load Optimisation
Winner
Greatest CO2 Reduction
China Eastern
Improved Payload Fraction for Reduced Emissions
Winner
Lowest CO2 Emissions Ground Ops
Air Europa
Electrified Ground Support Equipment
Winner
Best Inflight Waste Management
KLM Cityhopper
Waste Cut to 62g per Passenger
Winner
Best Innovation
Kenya Airways
Pioneering the Use of SAF in Africa
Winner
Best Adoption
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Most TAC Solutions Adopted
What Were The Rules

  • The TAC flights took place in the last two weeks of May – from 15th to 28th May.

  • Only solutions that were implemented in TAC were eligible for Awards.

  • Flights were to be round-trips, including turnaround, using an existing route.

  • The round-trip flight had to be a subsequent flight with the same registered aircraft (if operationally possible).

  • The scope for the Flight Impact Awards covered “below the wing” ground operations and flight operations.

  • Short Haul flight submissions were only eligible when the destination could not be reached by alternative transportation within 4.5 hours (measured from airport to airport.

  • There were two main Award types: ‘Flight Impact Awards’ (focused on sustainability impact) and ’Challenge Contribution Awards’ (focused on adoption, innovation and collaboration).

  • There were subcategories for both “Flight Impact Awards” and “Challenge Contribution Awards”. Airlines are encouraged to participate in multiple categories.

Who Was Our Jury
Prof. Steven Barrett
Prof. Steven Barrett
MIT Professor

Adefunke Adeyemi
Adefunke Adeyemi
African Civil Aviation Commission

Tom Williams CBE
Tom Williams CBE
Former COO

Airbus

Udit Singhal
Udit Singhal

Forbes 30 Under 30

Jasmine Crowe-Houston
Jasmine Crowe-Houston
Founder & CEO

Goodr

Dr. Fang Liu
Dr. Fang Liu
Former Secretary General

ICAO

Riham Elgizy
Riham Elgizy

MENA Voluntary Carbon Market

Dr. Jackie Pin-Chih Wang
Dr. Jackie Pin-Chih Wang
Dr. Jackie Pin-Chih Wang

Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy

Testimonials
quote

The Aviation Challenge has accelerated our journey to become a more sustainable airline by mobilizing departments enterprise-wide to drive bold initiatives, while learning from our industry peers and their experiences.

Jumana Master photo
Jumana Master
Sustainable Travel Experience , Delta Air Lines
quote

When airlines come together, we have the power to make a huge difference to the planet we connect. The Aviation Challenge is uniting thousands of people across our industry in a common goal to find workable new solutions to make air travel greener. I’m proud of how this hard work and commitment is making a difference - now - by uniting global airlines in SkyTeam’s Challenge to fly the change our industry needs.

Patrick Roux photo
Patrick Roux
CEO , SkyTeam
quote

Climate change remains the biggest long-term challenge that our industry faces. We are participating in The Aviation Challenge because we believe we must all work together to drive forward innovative and impactful solutions that can deliver real change for the future of air travel.

Ed Bastian photo
Ed Bastian
CEO , Delta Air Lines
Play

Footnotes:

  1. All averages were computed from the arithmetic mean of all metric values per airline/haul combination and are unweighted with respect to total CO₂, RTK, stage length, etc., based on 72 flights. The average CO₂/RTK of the 72 TAC flights includes 24 short-haul, 24 medium-haul, and 24 long-haul flights, excluding and including the full effect of SAF in tank.

  2. Own baselines consist of the averages of approximately 50 flights per airline operated with the same aircraft type and within the same distance band in the two months prior to the challenge flight.

  3. The CO₂ emission reduction factor is based on the specific fuel used on the flights that uplifted SAF in accordance with CORSIA standards.

  4. Latest-generation aircraft are defined as the latest aircraft design produced (e.g., Airbus A350, Boeing 787).

  5. Percentage of electric ground equipment is based on home base and outstation equipment at the airports where TAC flights were operated.

  6. Average of 27 round-trip TAC flights by airlines participating in the “Best Waste Management” category (0.34 kg/pax) compared to the IATA Cabin Waste Handbook 2019 (1.43 kg/pax). Note: figures may not be fully comparable due to different study criteria (e.g., untouched food, liquids, and cleaning waste).