However, challenges abound, such as the high costs and sustainability concerns of sustainable aviation fuel, the limited capabilities of alternative technologies, such as hydrogen and electric aircraft, and the need for extensive infrastructure and international collaboration. [...] Environmental Impacts of the Aviation Industry Commercial aviation is estimated to account for about 3.5 percent of the overall human-made changes to the energy balance in the Earth’s atmosphere. [...] Open Questions Questions related to sustainable aviation technologies: Research can help determine the cost-effectiveness of modernizing versus retrofitting older aircraft and the optimal timing for fleet replacement, weighing the economic and environmental benefits of new aircraft against the impacts of production and disposal. [...] The stark contrast in fuel prices is evident; in 2020, the cost of producing SAF from HEFA was about 2 to 3 times the historical average cost of fossil fuel.35 This price gap limits the demand for SAF and undermines the capacity of SAF refineries. [...] Heathrow Airport’s report suggested that hydrogen planes may start serving the UK’s short-haul and regional routes commercially by the second half of the 2020s, with the potential for a complete transition of the regional fleet by 2040.42 Additionally, the Hamburg and Rotterdam airports are collaborating to launch hydrogen flights between the cities by 2026.43 A study by Transport and Environment.
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