As the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, OEMs are stepping up with bold innovation, practical design shifts, and deeper collaboration than ever before.
In this interview, Rebina Pozole, Head of Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft, shares how the company is tackling sustainability challenges through smarter aircraft design, fuel experimentation, and strategic partnerships-with the D328eco aircraft leading the charge.
“We’ve always reduced fuel for economic reasons-now we’re doing it for environmental ones.”
Pozole explains that while long-term innovation is crucial, OEMs have a responsibility to pursue near-term, feasible solutions. For Deutsche Aircraft, this includes improving aerodynamics, weight, and engine efficiency while also testing alternative fuel types like hydrogen, batteries, and more sustainable hydrocarbon use.
“There aren’t that many energy carriers we can use in aviation. We need to explore realistic alternatives-and SAF is one of them.”
She highlights two tracks of experimentation:
- Applied tech testing, like flights using zero-aromatics synthetic fuels
- Research-based experimentation, exploring what may be possible in the future
One major milestone? The upcoming D328eco, scheduled for entry into service in late 2027:
“We’re on track. Seeing the aircraft take shape in the hangar-it’s really exciting.”
Pozole also dives into the critical need for deep, technical collaboration between OEMs, fuel producers, and other ecosystem players:
“It’s not just cooperation for the sake of it. We need to understand each other’s technical and business constraints-something we never had to do before.”
Looking ahead, Deutsche Aircraft is actively forming strategic partnerships with SAF producers to ensure their aircraft can fly with 100% PTL zero-aromatics fuel once it’s commercially available.
Questions asked include:
- What role do OEMs play in the aviation industry’s sustainability journey?
- How is aircraft design being optimized to reduce climate impact?
- What are the key challenges in experimenting with new technologies and fuels?
- Can you tell us about the progress of the D328eco?
- How vital is collaboration in meeting sustainability goals?
- Are there any exciting partnerships on the horizon?
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