Thousands of young people from across Greater Manchester and the North West will benefit from new sustainability lessons at the Aerozone education centre at Manchester Airport.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which also operates London Stansted and East Midlands airports, has launched a new Jet Zero curriculum for young people. Delivered in an online and interactive format, the curriculum focuses on education around Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – how it is made, and how it can be used by the aviation sector to reach MAG’s target of net zero by 2038 and the UK industry target of 2050.
Schools from across Greater Manchester can also visit the airport’s Aerozone for themed lessons teaching them about various elements of the aviation industry. More than 2,600 young people have visited the Manchester Aerozone each year since it opened.
The first Jet Zero session took place 15th October at Manchester Airport, with students from supported learning provider Pure Innovations immersing themselves in the online learning tool which took them through the SAF production process.
Delivering the curriculum was part of the Group’s Jet Zero Education pledge – one of five made in July 2022 when the UK Government published its Jet Zero Strategy. MAG’s other pledges were Jet Zero Research, Jet Zero SAF, Jet Zero Airspace and Jet Zero technology – all of which will contribute to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.
It comes as Manchester Airport published its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report for 2022-23. The Report details the airport’s progress over the last financial year in delivering on its CSR Strategy ‘Working together for a brighter future’, published in 2020.
Manchester Airport Group CEO Ken O’Toole said:
“I am so pleased to see our Jet Zero curriculum become a reality this week as the first students learn about the role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in our airport Aerozone.
“We know grassroots education about a sustainable future for aviation will be integral to the future success of our sector, and we’re delighted to have delivered on this pledge. It will see thousands of young people learn more about the decarbonisation of our industry.
“We are committed to reaching net zero carbon operations by 2038, and to working with airline, industry and government partners to reach net zero for UK aviation by 2050. Our sector has a clear and achievable plan to deliver that decarbonisation and, working with the Government through the Jet Zero Council, as MAG we will continue to lead on making net zero aviation a reality.
“We understand just how wide ranging the benefits of international travel are – from tourism and cultural exchange to global trade and investment – and that is why we are dedicated to ensuring that passengers can continue to enjoy them as part of the net zero future of our industry.
“As we publish our annual CSR Report, I am proud of the progress we continue to make across all three of our strategic priorities – ensuring we are playing our part in decarbonisation, providing impactful education and employment opportunities, and listening to our local communities and supporting their causes.”
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:
“We’re proud to serve the people of the North – but our responsibility to the area and the world more widely goes beyond getting people to their destinations.
“We take that corporate social responsibility seriously so delivering on our pledges to lead the way in sustainability and provide grassroots education in the community is very rewarding.
“Seeing the launch of this new curriculum in our Aerozone, and in particular seeing how engaged and enthusiastic young people are about helping the aviation sector secure a sustainable future, was inspiring and I’m excited to see the curriculum delivered to more and more young people as we move forward.
“The publication of our annual CSR report sets out some excellent progress and gives us a framework through which we can continue and build on that good work.”
Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:
“This is fantastic news for the future of UK aviation. Not only will it bring us a step closer to reaching Jet Zero by 2050, but it will also inspire a new generation of talented young people to join the world of sustainable air travel.
“The transition to Jet Zero presents unique opportunities to grow new industries and technologies, while creating jobs. I am delighted that through this initiative students across the country are learning about these opportunities.”
Over the last 12 months MAG’s Aerozone facilities, which host the Group’s new curriculum, collectively saw more than 6,500 students pass through their doors – as a key part of the ‘Opportunity for All’ pillar, which this year also saw 12,000 job seekers supported through MAG’s Airport Academies.
