Flight paths to sustainability: Cutting-edge climate and contrails research at DLR

Hamburg Aviation Green

Hamburg Aviation Green
Flight paths to sustainability: Cutting-edge climate and contrails research at DLR
Jul 02, 2025 Season 2 Episode 3
Hamburg Aviation

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Can smarter flight paths help save the climate?

In this episode of Hamburg Aviation Green, we explore why adjusting routes by just a few kilometres could massively cut climate heating effects of aviation – and why this isn’t happening yet.

Together with Alexander Lau from the Institute of Air Transport at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), we dig into the science behind contrails, climate effects, and the barriers to change.

One line that stuck with us: “Innovation isn’t always about building new aircraft. Sometimes it’s about using the ones we have – but flying them better.”

Thank you, Alexander, for your insights and a fascinating discussion!

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