The challenging objective of the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 requires a coordinated involvement and cooperation of all stakeholders in the air transport system. The Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research and Innovation in Europe (ACARE) contributes to this objective by assembling all these stakeholders, providing an open forum for discussion and developing a common vision for aviation, such as the recently published “Fly the Green Deal – Europe’s Vision for Sustainable Aviation”. In order to achieve the ambitious goals, set out in the Green Deal and ACARE’s vision, a number of key technologies are not yet properly addressed in the European research agenda. In order to fill these gaps, it is indispensable to exploit academia’s capabilities in fundamental research and to also make full use of the European research eco-system.

It is of key importance that the pipeline of fresh ideas and enhanced knowledge remains constantly filled with results from upstream research. To this end, a transparent pan-European collaboration is extremely important, exploiting synergies between the aviation stakeholders, but also reaching out to sectors outside aviation. Any attempt to bypass the open platform provided by ACARE would further destroy the European research eco-system, contributing to a more and more downsized participation of academia in developing a successful path towards a more sustainable aviation system.

The European Aeronautics Science Network (EASN) as representative of academia in the aviation sector, acknowledges the important role of ACARE in developing a joint European vision and in turning the defined strategy into reality. We therefore would like to express our continued support for the statutes and objectives of ACARE and hope that the important work can continue as effectively and efficiently as possible. EASN is strongly supporting the work of ACARE and is prepared to take an active role in aligning the newly defined ACARE structure to efficiently respond to the challenges at hand for the European aviation sector.