On 3 November 2026, the UK and Dutch governments signed a new cooperation agreement to strengthen collaboration on sustainable aviation.
ADS, alongside our Dutch counterpart AeroNL, welcomes the commitments made and looks forward to seeing both countries build on this agreement with tangible action to support the decarbonisation of aviation.
A joint statement from ADS and AeroNL:
The Dutch and UK aerospace industries, represented by AeroNL and ADS Group, welcome and endorse the joint statement being signed today by the governments of the UK and the Netherlands. We see it as the start of a partnership on zero-emission aviation between our two countries, supporting the technologies and addressing the challenges involved in reaching net zero by 2050. This partnership has the potential to pave the way for zero-emission routes between the UK and the Netherlands within the next decade.
Sustainable aviation is a huge environmental and economic opportunity for both of our countries. From zero-emission electric and hydrogen aviation to sustainable aviation fuel, there is significant potential to make flying more efficient, sustainable and energy-resilient, reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. Both of our nations are leading testbeds for innovation, with real opportunities to develop and commercialise the technologies needed to reach net zero. This takes policy and regulatory clarity from both sides of the Channel.
Our two countries are both natural testbeds for electric flying. Both countries are active in the development of cutting-edge technologies. It is key that we develop these critical technologies in Europe, building on our renowned manufacturing industries.
Zero-emission flying gives our industry a continued social licence to operate. As other sectors become sustainable, and as we transition to renewable energy, the aviation sector cannot afford to lag behind. We need to be a frontrunner.
Alongside zero-emission flight on short routes, we see next-generation aircraft technology as essential for medium and long-distance aviation, from more efficient airframes and engines to aircraft designed to fly on 100% synthetic sustainable aviation fuel. We ask both governments and relevant European authorities to give these technologies a place in the long-term programmes that follow this statement, including Horizon Europe.
The aviation sector also needs to pay for its emissions through the EU and UK ETS, but it should also have access to a part of these funds to reinvest in sustainable fuels and technology. This partnership is an important first step in providing the clarity and support needed to accelerate that investment.
The EU and UK SAF mandates, as well as the imminent Revenue Certainty Mechanism in the UK, give airlines, fuel suppliers and financiers certainty, while SAF allowances and funding provide additional capital. On short and medium-haul routes where electric and hydrogen aircraft will play a role, similar policy support that provides both a stable market and a financial incentive is also key.
Companies are ready to invest and ready to fly, but they need long-term policy, infrastructure and regulatory clarity. We welcome the progress made today between our two countries and look forward to building on it with tangible action towards our sustainability targets, in which our aerospace industries will play a vital role.
