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 the TAC 2024 awards, each evaluated by a diverse panel of aviation and sustainability experts, including representatives from the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). Awards were presented across 18 subcategories, grouped into three main themes: advancing adoption, boosting collaboration, and empowering stakeholders. Winners were selected by a jury of industry leaders from organizations such as the Air Transport Action Group, American Express Global Business Travel, and the UN Global Compact Network.

Showcase Highlights from TAC 2024

These videos highlight some of the inspiring sustainability initiatives from our participants, put to the test during the memorable showcase flights of The Aviation Challenge.

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 Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM Cityhopper
Korean Air
Scandinavian Airlines
Saudia
Shanghai Airlines
TAROM
TUI Airline
Vietnam Airlines
Virgin Atlantic
XiamenAir
Air Europa Express
Award Winners
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

To participate in 2024:

  • Airlines were required to operate at least one showcase flight to test and demonstrate their initiatives.

  • The flight had to take place between August and October.

  • Eligible flights had to serve destinations not reachable by alternative transportation within six hours.

To qualify for TAC awards:

  • Airlines needed to share flight data from their showcase flight to support an overall impact assessment.

  • Participation in at least one award subcategory within each main category (advancing adoption, boosting collaboration, and empowering sustainability)was required.

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

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
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