Air Canada’s Collaborative Efforts with Airbus in Carbon Capture Initiatives

Air Canada is making significant strides in its environmental sustainability efforts by partnering with Airbus on carbon capture initiatives, a move that highlights the airline’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. This collaboration positions Air Canada as the first North American airline to sign up for Airbus’ carbon removal initiative, utilizing Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) technology.

The DACCS technology employed in this initiative is particularly notable for its ability to filter and remove CO2 emissions directly from the air. This is achieved using high-powered extraction fans, and once the CO2 is captured, it is stored in underground reservoirs. This technology is crucial for the aviation industry, as it offers a way to offset CO2 emissions that cannot be directly eliminated at the source during aircraft operations.

Valerie Durand, Air Canada’s head of investor relations and corporate sustainability, emphasized the significance of carbon capture technology as a current solution for reducing the airline’s environmental impact. This aligns with Air Canada’s broader strategy, which includes a commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of this strategy, Air Canada has created a $50 million investment fund to support new technologies, with a recent equity investment/loan of $6.75 million in Canadian climate solutions company Carbon Engineering to advance its Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology.

Air Canada’s efforts, in conjunction with Airbus and other industry leaders, represent a collaborative approach towards addressing the challenge of decarbonizing the aviation sector, contributing to the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

For more information, you can visit Airbus’ announcement and Air Canada’s news release.