Xu Gang Photo/ provided by Annual Meeting of the New Champions

At the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, held in Dalian, China, Airbus China's CEO Xu Gang highlighted the significant opportunities and challenges in the aviation industry's energy and digital transformation. Facing the global aviation industry's two major transitions, Xu emphasized the potential of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a rare opportunity, noting the high carbon footprint of aviation and the industry's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Xu pointed out that SAF, traditionally derived from used cooking oil, is currently limited by supply and cost issues. He suggested that increasing competition and production capacity, as well as the development of more efficient technologies, are crucial for reducing costs and enhancing production.

Furthermore, Xu discussed Airbus's digital transformation, which encompasses the entire value chain from R&D to customer support, underpinned by data. Airbus's big data platform is set to optimize internal processes and provide precise guidance to customers, ensuring efficient and safe operations.

Lastly, Xu mentioned the establishment of Airbus's full-life-cycle service company in Chengdu, which has received certifications from CAAC and EASA, and is poised to expand its market reach with the support of national policies, particularly in the area of aircraft recycling and green disposal.