JULIE KITCHER
THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
The aviation industry contributes more than 87 million jobs globally, while 35 % of the world’ s freight and cargo travel by air. It represents more than 4 % of global GDP, making it an industry worth preserving while decarbonising responsibly.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famous French aviator and writer, said that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors but borrow it from our children. Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Airbus, cites this as a core responsibility for the industry.
“ Sustainability is a real responsibility,” Julie says.“ Therefore we’ re doing what we can to preserve our planet while bringing connectivity and economic development to society as a whole.” The aviation industry is working towards a united net zero 2050 goal. Though it is difficult to achieve for such a hard-to-abate sector, it has always made the impossible possible. From early doubts about flight itself to democratising air travel, the sector has consistently overcome challenges.
The energy challenge of aerospace decarbonisation Airbus is accelerating its sustainability agenda as the aerospace industry confronts the twin pressures of shortterm fuel availability and long-term decarbonisation goals. Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Airbus, says the industry is navigating a complex energy trilemma while maintaining its commitment to net zero by 2050.
JULIE KITCHER
TITLE: CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
COMPANY: AIRBUS
Julie has been part of Airbus for more than 25 years, first in finance and investor relations roles, then in communications and sustainability, becoming the manufacturer’ s chief sustainability officer and communications lead in 2019. She also sits on the boards of Airbus Helicopters, the Airbus Foundation and the Jet Zero Taskforce, the industry and UK government panel set up to support the development and commercialisation of sustainable fuels in the aviation sector.
24 September 2026