LONDON, Jan. 20 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* up to £43 million will be allocatedto green aviation projects, paving the way for airport expansion and supporting highly skilled jobs * the fundingwill progress ambitions for zero emission aircraftto take to theskiesandallow researchintohow climate-warming water vapour trails from aircraft can be avoided * governmentsupport for theindustrywillunlockprivate investment and createagreen aviation sector fit for the future

The aviation industry is set for a major boostas £43 million for green projectswas announcedby the government today (20 January 2026), supporting jobs and unlockingnew investment.

Themajor investment comes as the Government drives forward plans for expansion atHeathrow,GatwickandLutonairports and the Transport Secretary will today chair a meeting with prominent airlines, airports, innovators and engineering firms to discuss how cutting-edge technology will decarbonise the sector while delivering growth.

With theproductionof low-carbonfuels alone expected to add up to £5 billion to the economyby 2050, thefunding will drive millions of pounds of private investment into the aviation sector, supporting skilledjobs in technology development and scientific research and funding projects to slashemissions from aviation.

Businesses,researchersand universities across the UK will be invited to bid for their share of the £43million, with competitions launching from February toallocatethefunding.The fundingwill go towardsresearch and development projects that help to deliver net zero aviation by2050.

Transport Secretary,Heidi Alexander, said:

We're backing UK businesses by powering up green aviation. Our £43 million investmentwilldeliver the cutting-edge technology of the future, growthe economy and supporthighly skilled jobsaspart of ourmissionto delivernational renewal.

Zero emission aircraft, hydrogen fuels and other emerging technologies are vital to reduce the climate impacts fromflyingandwill enable usto deliver ourairport expansion plansto boost connectivity and grow theeconomy.

Thetechnologiesthat will be developed with this funding,such as clean fuels and zero-emissionaircraft, will playan importantroleindeliveringon the government's vision toexpandairportsin line with climate targets, by decarbonising aviationandimproving air quality.

The investmentcould alsobe used for a trial to understand how contrails - condensation trails produced from aircraft exhausts that can contribute to global warming - could be avoided.

The CivilAviationAuthority will develop regulations required for the widespread use of hydrogen fuelthrough this investment  - including support for pioneering companies and universities that are preparing for new zero carbon technology.

To further the UK's world-leading reputation on green aviation, some of this funding will support the use and tracking of sustainable aviation fuels  in regions like Africa and theCaribbean andimprove their participation in schemes that offset global aviation emissions.

This will ensure UK airlinesare notat a financial disadvantage to airlines based in low-income countries, who can avoid the costs associated with carbon offsetting because they do not have the required tracking and implementation tools.

In further support for the sector, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill, coming into force later this year, will provide long-term certainty for the SAF market by guaranteeing a set price for UK producers, helping the UK meet its climate targets.

This is backed by anadditional£63 million to accelerate new SAF production plants, alongside £2.3 billion through the Aerospace Technology Institute programme over the next decade to supportcutting-edgeaerospace innovation and thousands of highly skilled jobs.

The Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance said:

The funding for green aviation projects announced today will help ensure the UK leads the future of flight. Hydrogen-powered aviation is at the heart of this ambition and is essential to decarbonising aviation while ensuring the sustainable growth of our industry.

We welcome the government's support for pioneering businesses developing zero emission aviation technologies, alongside its commitment to enabling the Civil Aviation Authority to put in place the right regulations for the use of hydrogen fuel.

These are important steps on the journey to making hydrogen-powered flight a reality and securing a competitive, sustainable future for UK aviation.

Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said:

We know that aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise and, as we continue on the road to net zero by 2050,industry actioncombined withgovernment investment are required.

This funding will helpturnambitioninto operational reality across key decarbonisation pathways,helping to delivercarbon-neutral skies.

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

Today's investment in zero and lower emission technology is playing an important part in delivering a sustainable future for UK aviation, a process well underway with the launch last year of the sustainable aviation fuel mandate and imminent passage of the SAF revenue certainty mechanism into law.

The ongoing work of the Jet Zero Taskforce, bringing government, industry and experts together to drive progress, is a critical part of our collective efforts to ensure net zero remains a reality for our sector.

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