Virgin and easyJet join first Jet Zero Council meeting

Unveiled last month, the council will bring together ministers, airline chiefs and investors to collectively define and plot a course for the sector’s future.

Shai Weiss, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, and Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, were among attendees, along with Sustainable Aviation chair Adam Morton.

Members will explore how the sector can be placed on a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly footing through the introduction of new aircraft and engine technologies, as well as synthetic and sustainable aviation fuels, and eventually, development of electric aircraft.

It comes after the UK committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and ensuring a "green recovery" from the coronavirus pandemic.

The government has pledged £350 million to assist initial efforts to cut carbon emissions, which prime minister Boris Johnson said would help "pave the way for the first ever zero emission long hail passenger flight".