Hydrogen. Hybrid-electric. Next-generation turbines. Aviation is awash with competing visions for lower-emission flight — but which of them are genuinely on a path to scale, and which remain long on promise but short on commercial viability? This session will cut through the hype to examine which propulsion technologies are most likely to succeed, what infrastructure they will demand, and how economics, certification and regulation will ultimately separate the credible from the aspirational. 

The conversation will also widen the lens beyond propulsion alone. As scrutiny grows around aviation’s full climate impact, the panel will explore how non-CO₂ effects, including contrails, are reshaping the decarbonisation debate and challenging the industry to think more holistically about technology, operations and climate mitigation. Bringing together perspectives from technology, sustainability and regulation, this discussion will ask a hard but necessary question: what will it really take for lower-emission flight to move from prototype to practical reality?

Confirmed Speakers:

• Cyril Garcia, Global Head of Sustainability Services, Capgemini
• Jean Christophe-Lambert, CEO, Ascendance 
• Dr Harry Armstrong, Head of Sustainability CSP, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• Dr Andy Jefferson, Director, A & G Jefferson
• Eric Dalbies, Group CTO, Safran