Efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions appear at the top of the engineering agenda at every major aircraft engine maker. The air transport industry also confronts the need to mitigate the environmental damage from other emissions from engines, including contrails formed by water vapor, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, soot, unburned hydrocarbons, aerosols, and traces of hydroxyl compounds.
The complexity around how OEMs can reduce and mitigate the various non-CO2 emissions has meant that, for now, they are not covered by legally binding mandates. Still, they remain on regulators' list of priorities. While increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) forms part of the solution, manufacturers continue to focus on design changes to engines and possible adjustments to the operational profile of flights, including altitude, that could drive down emissions.
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