In a single century, humanity’s ancestral desire to fly came true at lightning speed and, of all the tools humans have given themselves, the aeroplane is probably the one that has changed their lives the most.
Environmental challenges call the future of aviation into question, often in proportions that far exceed its actual impact.
The challenge of the 21st century is to accelerate the transition to full decarbonisation while preserving for humanity the undeniable benefits of aeronautical and space technology.
Aeronautics must and will meet the challenge of its own sustainability and of its essential transformation, particularly decarbonisation, to face the environmental challenges and the climate change we are confronting. It has undeniable strengths for this: a long record of technical innovation; a culture of daring, enterprise and risk-taking, carried since the pioneers by passion (which makes you endure everything) and patience (which makes you accept risks, mistakes and successes), and the steady progress towards excellence we know it for.
Humanity cannot imagine a future that ignores the undeniable benefits of aviation and space, which ensure our mobility, our security and the management of our environment. In short, they are what make the “sustainable development” of our societies possible.