Clean Sky

Clean Sky is a public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European aeronautics industry that coordinates and funds research activities to deliver significantly quieter and more environmentally friendly aircraft.

- Airbus Racer demonstrator
- Leonardo NGCTR


The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking, formerly known as Clean Sky, represents one of the largest and most ambitious aeronautical research initiatives ever launched by the European Commission to reduce the environmental impact of air transport while preserving the competitiveness of the European aerospace industry. Established in 2007 as a public-private partnership between the European Union and the aviation sector, the programme was designed to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies capable of lowering aircraft emissions, reducing noise pollution, improving fuel efficiency, and supporting the long-term transition toward sustainable aviation. The evolution from Clean Sky to Clean Aviation reflects a broader strategic shift toward climate-neutral aviation objectives aligned with Europe’s Green Deal and long-term decarbonization targets.

Between 2007 and 2024, the European Union committed approximately €5.6 billion to the Clean Sky 1 and Clean Sky 2 programmes, supporting collaborative research projects across the aerospace sector. The initiative has involved around 1,000 participating organizations from 30 countries, including universities, research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, and major aerospace manufacturers, bringing together more than 5,000 engineers, scientists, and technical specialists. Among the founding industrial partners, Leonardo S.p.A. has played a major role in advancing rotorcraft, aerostructure, propulsion, and sustainable aviation technologies intended to shape the future of low-emission flight. The programme’s research output has contributed to the development of lighter aircraft structures, hybrid-electric propulsion concepts, advanced aerodynamic systems, and new manufacturing processes aimed at transforming both commercial aviation and vertical flight operations.