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Key Points:
- Airbus coordinates the new EU-funded PACIFIC project to study aviation’s non-CO₂ climate effects, including contrail formation.
- The research will focus on the role of fuel composition and engine cycle in particle emissions, with a special emphasis on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
- The project runs from January 2025 to June 2028 and involves 11 partners across four countries.
- Ground testing—from lab-scale to full engine—will take place at DLR and Airbus Toulouse.
- Results will inform future fuel specifications and support EU climate policy for aviation.
In an ambitious step toward addressing aviation’s broader climate footprint, Airbus has launched the PACIFIC project—a new Horizon Europe-funded research initiative aimed at understanding and mitigating aviation’s non-CO₂ emissions, particularly contrails. The program brings together 11 partners from France, Germany, the UK, and Finland, combining academic, industrial, and technological expertise.
Why Contrails Matter
While carbon emissions are the most discussed aspect of aviation’s climate impact, contrails—especially persistent ones—can trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute significantly to radiative forcing. Recent studies have shown that Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) can potentially reduce the formation of soot and ice crystals, which are precursors to contrail formation. However, the science is far from settled.
That’s where PACIFIC comes in:
PACIFIC stands for Particle emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact related to Fuel Composition and Engine Cycle. It seeks to bridge scientific gaps by exploring how fuel chemistry and combustion cycles influence particle formation and contrail behavior—across both lab and full-scale engine testing environments.
Inside the Research
The multi-year project will:
- Investigate how soot forms during fuel combustion, using lab experiments at DLR.
- Measure particle emissions under different engine power settings using full-scale ground tests at Airbus Toulouse.
- Assess the influence of different SAF compositions on ice crystal formation in contrails.
- Refine models to predict the climatic impact of non-CO₂ emissions in real-world flight conditions.
- Develop cost-benefit assessments and provide data-driven input for potential EU regulations and future fuel standards.
This structured testing pipeline ensures consistency from lab bench to engine nacelle, while maintaining tight control over combustion parameters and hardware setups.
Consortium Composition
The project brings together key players in aerospace and energy innovation:
- Industry leaders: Airbus (coordinator), Rolls-Royce (UK and Germany), Neste (Finland)
- Research institutions: DLR, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, University of Helsinki, MMU, University of Sheffield
- Consulting and coordination: Erdyn Consultants (France)
With a total EU contribution of nearly €5 million, the PACIFIC project reflects Europe’s commitment to pioneering research on climate-neutral aviation beyond just carbon emissions.
Airbus’ Vision: From Data to Policy
According to Sabine Klauke, Chief Technology Officer at Airbus:
“Addressing aviation’s non-CO₂ emissions is critical in our journey toward truly sustainable flight. The PACIFIC project will quantify and measure the non-CO₂ emissions emitted from various SAF compositions… allowing us to replicate and refine conditions without delay.”
This rigorous, replicable testing model is expected to deliver high-quality data that will influence both industry standards and public policy in the coming years.
Looking Ahead
With global aviation under increasing pressure to decarbonize, the PACIFIC project is a timely and strategic investment in understanding the full environmental impact of flight. While CO₂ remains the primary regulatory focus, non-CO₂ effects like contrails represent a significant frontier in climate science—and a potential opportunity for further emissions reductions.
If successful, PACIFIC could help shape the next generation of fuel specifications, validate SAF benefits beyond carbon, and reinforce Europe’s leadership in sustainable aviation R&D.