Thousands of school kids to learn about sustainable flying thanks to new education programme at Manchester Airport

Thousands of young people from across the North West will learn about the sustainable future of flying, thanks to a new education programme being delivered at Manchester Airport’s AeroZone.

Starting in the next academic year, the Northern hub’s sustainability experts will deliver ‘Jet Zero Education’ lessons at the on-site AeroZone educational facility to dozens of schools from their surrounding areas.

Through the use of interactive technology, students will learn how Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) is produced, and the benefits it will bring in reducing aircraft emissions which will help meet the aviation industry’s target of net zero by 2050.

Neil Robinson, CSR and Airspace Change Director for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “I am pleased to announce today that our Jet Zero Education programme will start in the new academic year.

“Our AeroZone works with young people from an early age to educate and inspire them about the world of aviation and the opportunities it could present to them.

“This initiative is a valuable extension of that, teaching the future generation of aviation professionals about the importance of a transition to net zero air travel, and inspiring them about the role they can play in the delivering that.

“The Jet Zero Strategy continues to play an important part in bringing the sector together and, as today’s announcement shows, MAG is wholly committed to delivering on all of the pledges we made 12 months ago.

“As a founding member of the Jet Zero Council, we are proud to be working collaboratively with Government to drive the industry’s transition to net zero by 2050.”

The announcement of the Jet Zero curriculum comes as the Government marks one year since the publication of its Jet Zero Strategy, which MAG supported by creating five Jet Zero Pledges, including Jet Zero Education, to support the industry’s decarbonisation targets.

Manchester Airport’s AeroZone was opened in February 2022 by Mayor Andy Burnham, and follows the model of the popular AeroZone facility at its sister airport London Stansted, which has been welcoming pupils since 2010. More than 3,500 school pupils benefitted in its first year.