Project consortium
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
(Project coordinator)
The University Carlos III of Madrid is a public university in the Community of Madrid, Spain. The Aerospace Engineering faculty group covers multiple research expertise such as the Aircraft Operations Lab. UC3M’s main scientific contribution will be the development of a framework for environment-targeted planning of mixed fleets at the network level.
In addition, UC3M will contribute to aircraft performance modeling and emissions estimation for next-generation aircraft, as well as the training of the surrogate AI model. UC3M will also coordinate the project and lead the dissemination, communication, and exploitation of the main results, building on its proven experience in these areas.
Boeing
Boeing Global Technology has been present in Europe since 2002, developing cutting-edge solutions to aviation’s greatest challenges with 120 researchers in Spain, Germany and the UK. Boeing’s partnership with European research institutions, organisations and academia drives innovation in fields from sustainability to safe operations of unmanned aircraft systems. A leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
Boeing will contribute by bringing expertise in aircraft performance and its OEM performance data to evaluate the fidelity of the models developed under ZENITIA for kerosene-powered aircraft.
Estuaire
Estuaire SAS is a data-driven climate-tech company specializing in aviation emissions and climate impact analytics. As a relatively young firm, Estuaire brings cutting-edge IT and data science capabilities to the consortium, operating a cloud-based platform that processes up to one million flights per day to calculate the full environmental footprint of each flight. The company
has been working closely with EU policymakers and verification experts to interpret the 2025 MRV regulation for airlines. The team's background spans software engineering, data science, and climate research.
Future Needs
Future Needs Management Consulting is a Cyprus-based company that places people and real-world needs at the centre of innovation. We help research organisations and small businesses translate R&D results into practical products, services and strategies. In ZENITIA, Future Needs leads the development of regulatory, operational and policy guidance for integrating next-generation aircraft into airport and airspace operations. This includes assessing policy and economic instruments for mixed-fleet operations considering environmental impacts, traffic management, and infrastructure implications.
Imperial College London
Imperial College London is a university in the United Kingdom. Sebastian Eastham leads the Aerospace Environmental Impacts Simulation (AEIS) group, part of the Department of Aeronautics and affiliated with the Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation.
Imperial will contribute by performing regional- to global-scale estimation of air quality, CO2, and non-CO2 climate impacts resulting from different technology and operational choices. They will also lead interpretation of these results to inform environmentally focused trajectory and technology optimization.
IFATCA (International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations)
IFATCA is the global voice of Air Traffic Controllers, representing over 130 member associations worldwide. It furthers air traffic safety, influences the sustainable evolution of aviation, and embraces all members of its community. An apolitical federation we provide guidance, representation, and other services to advance the status and professionalism of air traffic control. We collaborate with other international organizations to achieve mutual goals.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is the oldest and largest Dutch public technical university, located in Delft, the Netherlands. With eight faculties and multiple research institutes, TU Delft educates around 27,000 students (undergraduate and postgraduate), and employs more than 3,500 doctoral candidates and close to 4,500 teaching, research, support and management staff.
The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is a leading international community where innovation in aerospace meets global challenges. Our support and scientific staff, including PhD candidates, postdocs, and students, largely work together on three main themes: the energy transition, sustainable aerospace, and safety and security, with the aim of tackling climate change and contributing to the independence and security of Europe.
In ZENITIA project, TU Delft leads work package WP2 on the development of concepts and simulation-based optimization models for integration of mixed fleets of zero/low-emission aircraft into airport operations and infrastructure.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the most renowned Research /Higher Education Institute and is frequently ranked amongst the top 5 in international academic rankings such as ARWU and Shanghai Ranking. It has a long standing history of academic and scientific excellence backed up with rich culture, learning, research and creativity. Many affiliates of University of Cambridge have won Nobel Prizes for their significant advances. Cambridge University is also a major participant in European projects and was one of the top recipients of FP7 and H2020 funding.
Irene Dedoussi’s research group is based at the Whittle Laboratory of the Department of Engineering. The group’s research interests revolve around better understanding the environmental impacts of aviation and other transportation and energy sectors, including how emerging energy sources and technologies can affect change. In ZENITIA UCAM leads the emissions inventory development and local/regional air quality assessments of future technologies.