Airbus Launches Study On Non-CO2 Aircraft Emissions With Canadian Aerospace Partners

Airbus Teams Up for Eco-Friendly Research

Airbus, along with prominent Canadian aerospace academic and research organizations, has initiated a project to assess non-CO2 emissions generated from various jet fuels, including purely sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

The Contrail Research Yielding STimulating Advanced RQL Learning (CRYSTAL) project involves a ground and flight test campaign based at Airbus’ Mirabel facility in Canada, the headquarters for the A220 Programme. The CRYSTAL project aims to assess emissions during ground tests (on-wing) and in-flight emissions and contrails at different altitudes (flight testing) utilizing the A220 flight test aircraft.  

Both ground and flight tests will utilize Jet A-1 and 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to analyze their effects on emissions, contrail properties, and the related climate impacts. The data collected will aid the scientific community in refining contrail models and pinpointing engine technologies and fuels that could reduce the climate impact of contrails. 

Ground tests are scheduled for Q3 2025, followed by flight tests in 2027. The collaboration will be supported by YMX International Aerocity at Mirabel Airport, managed by ADM (Aéroports de Montréal). This year, the CRYSTAL project will be a highlight among key initiatives under Espace Aero – the first official aerospace innovation zone project in Quebec.

The project gathers expertise from notable Canadian organizations, including Polytechnique Montréal, École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), and FSM Management Group. Airbus and its collaborators are engaging with governmental programs, such as Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (INSAT) and the Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Québec (CRIAQ), to further support the initiative. This partnership highlights Airbus’ and the aerospace industry’s commitment, both globally and locally, to collaborate on understanding aviation emissions for more effective future solutions.  

Mélanie Lussier, President of Aéro Montréal, said: “Espace Aéro is proud to see a major project take shape with CRYSTAL, driven by Airbus’ leadership and its partners. This collaborative initiative perfectly reflects our innovation zone’s commitment to decarbonization and showcases how Quebec’s ingenuity and innovation are helping to shape the sustainable aviation of tomorrow. By bringing together industrial and academic players around concrete solutions, we are strengthening Quebec’s position as a leader in aerospace environmental performance."

Martin Massé, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability, ADM, said: “ADM Aéroports de Montréal is proud to be involved in this visionary research project. For many years now, our organization has prided itself on making its facilities available to support partners in the aviation ecosystem on their journey towards net zero emissions. As a world-class aeronautical hub and innovation zone, the YMX site was the perfect place to be at the forefront of this initiative, which will ultimately enable our industry to take the next step towards decarbonizing its activities.” 

Catherine Guillemart, Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Canada, Airbus said: “We are delighted to collaborate with world-class partners in Canada, as we are committed to supporting the aviation industry’s efforts to research on non-CO2 emissions. Increasing the scientific data to further understand the formation of non CO2-emissions remains key for the industry to understand their effects.”

CRYSTAL is a project akin to Airbus's previous initiatives, VOLCAN and ECLIF3, which involved A320neo and A350 Families aircraft in Europe.