The airline industry remains committed to net zero by 2050 despite setbacks and difficulties, IATA Congress has been told.
A panel discussion heard four key arguments that other sectors must deliver their contributions, that delays in new aircraft and air traffic management reform increase emissions, that fuel suppliers have not met sustainable aviation fuel commitments and that government mandates have raised fuel prices without increasing production.
Speaking at the IATA 2026 congress in Rio de Janeiro, Willie Walsh said the industry cannot achieve net zero alone. OEMs have delayed deliveries which raises gross emissions. Air traffic management reform has not occurred. Fuel companies have not delivered promised volumes. Governments must align policies with commitments.
The sector continues efforts on its side. Progress requires action from all committed parties. Mandates in Europe and the UK have failed to boost sustainable fuel output. Reassessment of timelines may occur if others do not contribute. The industry maintains its target but highlights shared responsibility.
Net zero 2050 remains possible only with full participation across the value chain. Airlines have kept their commitments while others lag. Policy failures have increased costs without environmental gains.
Delays in aircraft delivery and sustainable fuel availability widen the emissions gap. Reform of air traffic systems would cut emissions immediately. All players must move from statements to delivery.
The industry will reassess timelines based on actual contributions from governments, OEMs and fuel producers. Credibility depends on collective action rather than airline efforts alone.
Willie Walsh shared: “We’re committed to it. We’re continuing to do everything we said we would do. But we can’t achieve net zero in 2050 on our own and we said that from the very beginning. It is still possible, we believe, to achieve net zero in 2050 but it requires all of these players who were very vocal in terms of their commitment to net zero in 2050 to start taking action. As an airline industry, we remain committed. But we can’t do it on our own and we’ve been very clear on that from day one.”
2050 net zero is still possible, but we’re clearly off track and that we need to see all of the players who committed to contributing to net zero start playing their part. And if they don’t play their part, it’s not going to be because of airlines. We’re committed to it. We’re continuing to do everything we said we would do. But we can’t achieve net zero in 2050 on our own and we said that from the very beginning.
We’re very disappointed, particularly with the OEMs delaying the delivery of new aircraft because that means our gross emissions are higher than they should be, which makes the gap even wider. We’re disappointed that we’ve not seen reform of air traffic management systems around the world which would significantly reduce our gross emissions. We’re disappointed that fuel companies who committed to making the fuel available to us are not delivering on the promises that they’ve made.
So what we’ve been saying is it is still possible, we believe, to achieve net zero in 2050 but it requires all of these players who were very vocal in terms of their commitment to net zero in 2050 to start taking action rather than just standing there saying that they’re committed to it. We need everyone to contribute their part and that includes governments, because the government approach in many jurisdictions where they’ve introduced mandates has been a complete failure. It’s not led to any increase in production, has merely increased the price of fuel as we’ve seen in Europe with no environmental benefit and no increase in the production of sustainable fuels.
So that’s the point we’re making. If they’re not prepared to play their part, well then we’re going to have to reassess based on the commitments that they are prepared to make what is going to be possible. But as an airline industry, we remain committed. But we can’t do it on our own and we’ve been very clear on that from day one.
