The Aviation Challenge 2024

The third and largest edition of TAC to date brought together 24 participating airlines—including, for the first time, two from outside the SkyTeam alliance. Together, they operated 33 showcase flights to test and demonstrate innovative solutions aimed at advancing sustainability initiatives in aviation.
Result
A total of 327 innovative solutions were submitted for TAC 2024 awards, each assessed by a diverse panel of aviation and sustainability experts, including members of the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). Awards were given across 18 subcategories, organized into three main categories: advancing adoption, boosting collaboration and empowering stakeholders. The award winners were selected by a jury of industry leaders from organizations including the Air Transport Action Group, American Express Global Business Travel and the UN Global Compact Network.

TAC 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
Corendon Dutch Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Endeavor Air
Garuda Indonesia
Kenya Airways
Jambojet
KLM
KLM Cityhopper
Korean Air
Scandinavian Airlines
Saudia
Shanghai Airlines
TAROM
TUI Airways
Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
XiamenAir
Air Europa Express
Solutions Gallery
Winner
Best Scaled Cargo Solution
Scandinavian Airlines
Lightweight Recyclable Cardboard Planks
Winner
Best Scaled Inflight Solution
Aeroméxico
Bluetooth-Enabled In-Flight Entertainment Across B737-8 Fleet
Winner
Best Scaled FlightOps Solution
Scandinavian Airlines
Optimization of Aircraft Loading to Shift the Center of Gravity
Winner
Best Scaled GroundOps Solution
Air France
Commitment to 100% Electrification of Ground Service Equipment by 2030
Winner
Best Scaled Catering Solution
Kenya Airways
Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bread Packaging
Winner
Best Scaled MRO Solution
KLM Cityhopper
Fleet-Wide Engine Washing Initiative
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
Professor Tim Flannery
Professor Tim Flannery
Climate Scientist

Dr. Karl Feilder
Dr. Karl Feilder
Biofuel Expert

Maryam Ali Albalooshi
Maryam Ali Albalooshi
Environment Manager

Haldane Dodd
Haldane Dodd
Executive Director

Air Transport Action Group

Nicole Sautter
Nicole Sautter
Senior Director

Global Sustainability

Liz Minné
Liz Minné
Head of Global Sustainability Strategy

Interface

Romar Frazier
Romar Frazier
Head of Propulsion

JetZero

Merei Wagenaar
Merei Wagenaar
Executive Director

UN Global Compact

Testimonial
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
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