A consortium of aerospace firms, universities, and airports is drawing up a blueprint for a UK sustainable aviation system that could put zero-carbon regional flights into service within this decade. The project, called NAPKIN, tackles a specific problem: aviation accounts for a significant share of transport emissions, yet no coordinated plan exists to decarbonise short-haul and domestic flights affordably. Current electric aircraft designs from Cranfield Aerospace, GKN, and Rolls-Royce exist only as concepts. NAPKIN aims to bridge the gap between those designs and commercial reality by modelling the entire aviation ecosystem—passengers, airports, aircraft, airspace, and airlines—as an integrated system. If successful, the project could reshape regional connectivity. It would lay out the infrastructure, regulatory changes, and business models needed to run electric and sustainable aircraft between UK cities and islands. That would reduce carbon emissions from short flights while keeping remote communities linked to economic hubs. The work also feeds directly into the UK’s industrial strategy for aviation innovation, potentially creating new supply chains and manufacturing jobs in propulsion and ground operations.
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**Project NAPKIN - New Aviation, Propulsion, Knowledge and Innovation Network** **NAPKIN is** **developing** **the blueprint for a UK sustainable aviation system supporting the UK's leadership** **position in aviation innovation and action on climate change and directly addressing its need for rapid, affordable** **and** **sustainable regional connectivity.** Our high quality UK consortium draws on existing knowledge and expertise to deliver this timely project which will help to pave the way for low and zero carbon domestic and short haul aviation this decade. Moving towards a sustainable aviation system requires transformative change and coordinated action. NAPKIN uses a '5As' model of the aviation ecosystem - integrating Air passengers, Airports, Aircraft, Airspace, and Airlines - building a comprehensive picture of the conditions that will enable the transition to regional electric and sustainable aviation and the landscape of future products, services and infrastructure. Cranfield Aerospace (via project Fresson), GKN and Rolls-Royce (via Fresson, Efan-X, Accel etc) have developed electric aircraft conceptual designs. Cranfield University, University College London and the University of Southampton bring deep expertise and sophisticated modelling, complemented with input from Deloitte. Heathrow Airport, Highland and Island Airports and London City Airport bring the different contexts and ground operational experience to demonstrate viability across the UK. An airline focus group brings the project to life guiding the project with a clear pathway to a commercial reality. A model of affordable domestic sustainable aviation has the potential to solve carbon, connectivity and commercial challenges together. We believe that regional and sub-regional sustainable flight presents the necessary an economic and environmental opportunity the UK must grasp with urgency.
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