Flying Vision Accelerator

Flying Vision Accelerator (FVA) aims to contribute to the industry ambitions* of Net- Zero aviation by 2050. It seeks to develop dynamic roadmaps and a vision to help the sector navigate the pathways to attain this ambition whilst also contributing inputs for government policies.

Led by a consortium of partners including TU Delft, Royal NLR, Airbus, Royal Schiphol Group, and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, this project collaborates closely with both Dutch and international partners within the aviation ecosystem.

Flying Vision Accelerator inspires, fosters collaboration within the aviation ecosystem, and develops multidisciplinary insights that accelerate the transition to net-zero aviation. Additionally, the project identifies barriers and proposes solutions to overcome these challenges.

The idea for Flying Vision Accelerator was born out of a collaboration between the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft and Airbus, which highlighted the need for a holistic approach to responding to climate change.

The interaction between fundamental and applied research, as well as developments at OEMs, airlines, and airports, provides broad insights into both challenges and solutions. This is why collaboration across the entire value chain is crucial.

The role of the passenger is also an essential factor. How will new aircraft, propulsion systems, and energy sources be perceived and eventually be accepted? Will passenger behaviour hinder or accelerate the transition? Aviation, after all, is a part of a larger whole when it comes to travel and transport. It’s a so called “system of systems.”

The involvement of partners such as Royal NLR, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Royal Schiphol Group is therefore of critical importance.

Flying Vision Accelerator provides a comprehensive view of the aviation sector’s transition. The project focuses on three key themes:

1. Reducing energy demand
2. Implementing novel energy carriers
3. The passenger in 2050

To develop a shared vision and roadmaps meant for the aviation ecosystem, Flying Vision Accelerator organises activities such as deep dives and think tanks. These collaborative sessions bring together experts around aviation’s challenges towards decarbonisation. The results of these activities, along consolidated roadmaps, will be made accessible to all parties involved.

• Flying Vision Accelerator has organised a successful series of activities to gather expert input for the first FVA roadmap. In 2025 (the first year of the project), around 35 different types of organisations and more than 85 participants from across the entire aviation value chain took part.
• The first roadmap of the Flying Vision Accelerator was submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management and the programme LiT (Luchtvaart in Transitie) in December 2025, and is expected to be published at the end of Q1 2026.
• Flying Vision Accelerator has carried out an initial analysis (a short study) focusing on ‘passenger trends’ (led by NLR). In addition, a thesis lab has been set up in collaboration with Leiden‑Delft‑Erasmus (LDE) university partnership. Through this lab, students with different backgrounds work on challenges provided through FVA partners. The output of the analyses is expected to feed into the second iteration of the FVA roadmap.

• The first FVA roadmap is expected to be publicly released in Q1 2026.
• Flying Vision Accelerator will launch a new round of expert sessions (“Think Tanks”) in 2026. Please reach out if you find it interesting to join.
• The outcomes of the analyses from the LDE Thesis Lab are expected around summer.

Click here, to see the first roadmap.

* As set by the Air Transport Group (ATAG), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the global International Air Transport Association (IATA).