Sustainability: key to enable next generation supersonic passenger flight

Abstract

Abstract The 2020 global Covid-19 pandemic has shocked the aviation system to its core, showcasing what the loss of this economic engine can do to the world’s economies and societies. This crisis also presents an opportunity to create new capabilities and outlooks. Commercial supersonic flight is one such capability. The availability of advanced computational designs and propulsion systems, new materials, route optimization and alternative fuels means that supersonic aviation can be part of that future in a sustainable manner. Boom’s ultimate goal is to mainstream supersonic air travel and make it accessible to millions of passengers per year. Long-term projections of business-class airline demand suggest a total market of 1,000 to 2,000 commercial supersonic aircraft operating on more than 500 primarily transoceanic routes that will benefit from speeds twice as fast as today’s aircraft. Given the increased focus on mitigating aviation’s environmental impact, bringing a new aircraft to market in the 2020s requires a careful focus on sustainability. To ensure public acceptance supersonic aircraft manufacturers and operators will have to proactively engage with stakeholders to address their concerns and focus on integrating sustainability solutions across their business strategies. Boom is the first commercial aviation OEM to build sustainability into its aircraft programmes from day one, ensuring that sustainability considerations form an integral part of every aspect of the production process. A sustainability commitment to cover every step in the aircraft development cycle, from design and test through in-service operations and end-of-life recycling is key to successfully reintroduce commercial supersonic flight in the years ahead.