As aviation professionals prepare for the Paris Air Show 2025, sustainable flight is a key topic for industry conversations.
Current research suggests that electrification in aviation is not a distant goal. According to a report by The Business Research Company from May 2025, the aircraft electrification market is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, reaching $11.85 billion by 2029.
Electrification will change how aircraft are operated, often in ways that passengers may not directly notice. For them, it will mean quieter cabins, smoother flights, and better air quality. For airlines, electrification promises lower maintenance costs, fewer mechanical failures, and greater operational efficiency.
Can electrification solve aviation’s emissions problem?
Aviation is one of the most carbon-intensive modes of transport per passenger-kilometer. For example, a return trip from London to New York will generate roughly the same level of emissions as it takes to heat the average European household for a whole year, according to a 2018 study by Atkins Realis, an engineering services and nuclear organization.
While relatively few people fly compared to other forms of travel, demand for air travel is increasing rapidly. As a result, aviation’s contribution to climate change is expected to grow significantly during the coming decades.
A recent study conducted by ScienceDirect study, found that one of the ways to reduce emissions from the energy systems in the aviation sector – alongside new strategies for aviation routing, different types of aviation fuels and new aircraft designs – is the adoption of new propulsion systems such as electrification.
But while electric propulsion often takes the spotlight, electrifying other systems, such as flight controls, braking, and cabin pressurization, can also play a vital role in cutting weight and improving fuel efficiency.
Collins Aerospace is among the companies exploring these opportunities. Speaking with AeroTime ahead of Paris Air Show 2025, Todd Spierling, Principal Technical Fellow of Power & Controls at Collins, emphasized how electrification is driving innovations that improve fuel efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.
“Electrification can mean using electricity for functions traditionally powered by hydraulics or compressed air, such as pressurizing the aircraft, controlling temperature, and moving landing gear,” Spierling explained. “It can also mean propulsion electrification, where electricity replaces or augments fuel-burning engines.”
However, Spierling also noted that the electrification of aircraft presents significant technological challenges, including weight management, energy density, and thermal management, as aircraft require lightweight components and efficient energy use.
Collins Aerospace’s work on the electrification of aircraft began more than 20 years ago. Spierling noted that the company has already contributed to progress in this field with the ‘More Electric’ 787 project. The project refers to a design approach in which the traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner are replaced by electrical systems.
According to its website, Collins Aerospace manufactures “the only bleed-less electric environmental control system in service for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner”. This system directly brings fresh air into the cabin, using electric compressors to manage the air temperature.
“Electrification can revolutionize aviation by enabling new markets like urban air mobility, revitalizing regional air services, and reducing fuel usage and operating costs for airlines,” Spierling explained.
The pros of going electric
To help drive this electrification strategy, Collins Aerospace recently unveiled two new facilities in Europe: a new engineering center of excellence in Wolverhampton, UK, and an electric thrust reverser actuation systems (elecTRAS) production line in Colomiers, France.
Electrified aircraft have fewer moving parts compared to traditional engines. The increased efficiency and reduced mechanical complexity results in less downtime and more predictive maintenance schedules, Spierling explained.
“This means aircraft spend less time in the shop and more time flying, ultimately improving airline operations,” he said.
What does electrification mean for passengers?
While passengers might not be invested in the technical aspects of electrified aircraft, Spierling reckons that they will appreciate the benefits that come with it.
From a technical standpoint, increased electrical power enables more efficient operation of key aircraft systems, including pressurization, climate control, flight controls, and even propulsion, he explained.
“These improvements help maintain comfortable cabin conditions throughout the flight,” he noted, “while more responsive flight controls contribute to a smoother experience for passengers.”
For example, on a Boeing 787, the addition of a Collins electrified environmental control system results in decreased cabin altitude and increased fresh air, improving comfort for passengers and crew.
Spierling added that these types of tangible improvements “enhance passengers’ journeys and make electrified aircraft appealing”.
Additionally, quieter aircraft are crucial for air travel in congested environments, enabling better urban and regional air mobility.
“Electrified aircraft can operate in areas with strict noise regulations, opening new markets and increasing acceptance of air travel in these regions,” Spierling said.
Looking ahead: the future of electrified flight
Fully electric propulsion remains the final frontier, but hybrid-electric aircraft offer a more practical first step toward sustainable aviation, given current battery limitations. Spierling said Collins Aerospace sees “significant potential for hybrid-electric aircraft to enhance aerospace efficiencies and reduce environmental impact on a global scale”.
Regions like Europe and North America are expected to lead the way, driven by strong regulatory support and public-private collaboration.
While urban air mobility and light aircraft may enter commercial service in the near future, the widespread adoption of electric propulsion for larger aircraft will depend on the timeline for next-generation turboprop and single-aisle programs.
Until then, the electrification of onboard systems continues to lay the groundwork for a more efficient and sustainable aviation ecosystem.
