The Aircraft Operations Lab team recently attended the Contrail Observations Workshop organized by Google Research and Breakthrough Energy at Google London offices. This event brought together leading academic researchers, industry professionals, and NGOs to advance the science and implementation of non-CO2 avoidance in aviation.
The first day focused on developing strategic collaborations among key players in the field. Participants included academic researchers from Imperial College London, Breakthrough Energy, Google Research, and the University of Cambridge, alongside representatives from airlines such as TUI, flight plan providers like Flightkeys GmbH, and NGOs including Transport & Environment (T&E). Discussions centered on improving scientific research, engaging industry operators, and effectively communicating results to policymakers. Additionally, strategies for raising public awareness through companies like Blue Lines were explored. The day was marked by insightful discussions that set the stage for future collaborative efforts.
The second day was dedicated to a workshop on pycontrails, highlighting significant advancements in technologies such as ground cameras, satellite imagery, weather forecasting, and data sharing. This session provided a platform for attendees to discuss cutting-edge developments and network with peers, fostering an environment of enthusiasm and collaboration. The workshop underscored the collective efforts required to achieve meaningful progress in contrail avoidance.
Overall, the event was a valuable opportunity for the Aircraft Operations Lab team to further deepen their understanding of the technical aspects of contrail management. While Irene Ortiz attended in person at the venue in London, team members Manuel Soler, Abolfazl Simorgh, Amin Jafarimoghaddam, and Adrián Zarzoso participated online. Each member focused on their specific areas of research: Abolfazl on trajectory optimization with contrail avoidance, Amin on contrail plume modeling, Adrián on contrail generation using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and Irene on contrail detection. Alejandra Frías, PhD candidate at UC3M and member of the company Flightkeys GmbH also contributed her expertise on the operational costs of contrail avoidance.