About Aviation in Transition

To be climate-neutral by 2050, we must act now. At the same time, the Netherlands must continue to be recognized on the international stage as an innovative and resilient aviation nation.

Coalition invests in the future

Aviation in Transition (Luchtvaart in Transitie) is a groundbreaking eight-year program where the Dutch government and the aviation sector join forces. Our goal is clear: to initiate a revolution by accelerating sustainability, with climate-neutral flying from 2050 as our guiding principle. Participating partners in Aviation in Transition aim to achieve this by developing energy-efficient solutions, lighter materials and systems, and even carbon-neutral propulsion systems such as hydrogen.

To achieve this, the Aviation in Transition program will invest approximately €750 million until 2030 and collaborate with over 60 partners to boost the Dutch aerospace sector and, consequently, the economy. The National Growth Fund (Nationaal Groeifonds) supports this program with €383 million.

Discover how Aviation in Transition is transforming the aviation sector and creating a sustainable legacy. Step aboard the future, step aboard Aviation in Transition!

What can we expect?

Development of three flying demonstration airplanes

  • A hydrogen combustion engine-powered test aircraft by Fokker Next Gen and partners
  • A test aircraft with a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system developed in the Netherlands by Conscious Aerospace and partners
  • A retrofitted regional aircraft with a secondary hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system by Embraer and partners

Technology development for a new generation of ultra-efficient aircraft

  • Lightweight systems and structures
  • Advanced high-power cable systems and integrated wiring systems for data transfer
  • High-power and high-performance cooling systems and turbochargers

Sustainable knowledge development and preservation

  • Flying Vision develops a holistic vision and roadmap for the transition to 100% climate-neutral aviation
  • Dutch Aviation Systems Analysis Lab (DASAL) constructs a ‘digital twin’ as a tool to analyze and monitor the effects of innovations on sustainability, and economic and societal impacts
  • Promising research for (long-term) research into all aspects of new aircraft configurations expected after 2030.

Reinforcement aeronautical networks

  • Strengthening the ecosystem promotes synergies among various stakeholders and contributes to the long-term development of the sector. To sustain a healthy, competitive, and sustainable Dutch aviation industry, a strong ecosystem is essential.
  • International collaboration enhances opportunities for Dutch suppliers to sell their products globally. By partnering with allies worldwide, we can leverage a broader network and access a larger market.
  • The Human Capital Agenda aims to have a sufficient number of well-trained individuals available for the transition to sustainable aviation.