Strickland, director of JLS Consulting, was joined by ex-BA chair Alex Cruz and Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary during WTM London’s Big Airline Session on Monday (1 November).

The panel discussed the need for a collaborative effort from the aviation industry and governments across Europe to drive the implementation of “substantial” sustainability initiatives.

“We have got to work with governments to ensure collaboration and public investment in the right areas, and there is a real need for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” Strickland said.

“We need much more of a collaborative approach to enable that air travel is in the lifeblood of the planet’s mission to reduce emissions and boost sustainability.”

O’Leary claimed that throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Ryanair paid £630 million to European governments in environmental taxes.

“If European governments are really serious about it, they must look at a Single European Sky if we are ever going to eliminate all of the emissions,” he added.

“I’m somewhat more sceptical about this now because of these green washing projects. We are at least 20, if not 30, years away from hydrogen and electric technology.

“So I think what we can do now is SAF, and it is something that governments have to implement and work with the industry to facilitate effective change.”

Cruz echoed O’Leary’s calls for a single sky policy across Europe in a bid to reduce air traffic across the continent.