TUIfly and German Aerospace Centre Team Up to Combat Climate Change with Innovative Flight Data

Published on November 26, 2025

This week, several TUIfly passenger flights have been accompanied by a research aircraft from the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in a pioneering effort to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. The Falcon 20E research plane follows these flights, specifically targeting regions where contrail formation is most likely. This unique collaboration marks the first time in many years that a research aircraft has been directly tracking passenger flights, offering valuable real-time data on the environmental footprint of aviation.

As part of the EU-funded A4Climate project, this initiative is focused on understanding the role of contrails in global warming and finding ways to reduce their impact. Through the collection of real-time data on modern, low-soot ‘lean-burn’ engines, researchers aim to investigate how new technologies can help minimize the contribution of contrails to climate change.

The Environmental Impact of Contrails: A Step Towards Sustainable Aviation

Contrails, or condensation trails, are the visible streaks left behind by aircraft engines as they fly through cold, humid air. While contrails themselves are not harmful, they can persist in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming by trapping heat. Studies suggest that contrails may account for 1 to 2 percent of global warming, a significant but often overlooked aspect of aviation’s environmental impact.

The A4Climate project seeks to mitigate this issue by investigating how advanced engine technologies and sustainable practices can reduce contrail formation. The collaboration between TUIfly and DLR is expected to yield critical insights into how the aviation industry can lower its climate impact by optimizing engine performance and reducing the formation of contrails.

TUIfly’s Commitment to Sustainable Aviation Practices

TUIfly is deeply committed to sustainable aviation, and its involvement in the A4Climate project demonstrates the airline’s proactive stance in addressing the environmental challenges of modern air travel. By allowing DLR researchers to monitor flights and track contrail formation, TUIfly is providing essential data that will help shape future eco-friendly practices in aviation.

Christoph Todt, Head of Environmental Sustainability at TUI Airline, emphasized that TUIfly’s participation in this research is an important step toward integrating climate-conscious innovations into everyday aviation operations. By offering its flights and expertise, TUIfly hopes to facilitate the quick implementation of sustainable practices across the airline industry, ultimately reducing aviation’s contribution to global warming.

A Collaborative Approach to Climate Mitigation in Aviation

The A4Climate project brings together 17 partners from nine countries, including institutions like DLR, the Max Planck Society, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, Eurocontrol, and others. This collaboration aims to find practical solutions to the environmental challenges posed by aviation, particularly the formation of contrails. By focusing on engine technologies, alternative fuels, and optimized flight routing, the project is working toward a sustainable future for air travel.

This collective effort is a key part of a broader movement to make aviation more environmentally friendly. As the research progresses, it will help the industry move closer to meeting its sustainability targets, ultimately reducing aviation’s carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

TUIfly’s Efforts to Reduce Contrail Formation

Since the start of 2025, TUIfly has been actively rerouting flights to avoid the creation of long-lasting contrails. This proactive approach provides scientists with valuable real-time data that will help improve climate models and optimize flight routes. By adjusting flight paths to minimize contrail formation, TUIfly is helping to create more accurate weather and climate models, which are essential for mitigating the environmental effects of aviation.

This initiative is not only advancing scientific research but also demonstrating the airline’s commitment to sustainability. TUIfly’s efforts are a clear indication that airlines can play a significant role in reducing the climate impact of aviation by implementing simple yet effective operational changes.

Real-Time Data Collection: Paving the Way for Sustainable Aviation Solutions

Through the collaboration with DLR, TUIfly has enabled real-time data collection on the formation of contrails. The Falcon 20E research aircraft closely monitors TUIfly flights and measures the composition and behavior of the contrails produced. This research is crucial for understanding how aircraft emissions contribute to contrail formation and how new technologies can mitigate their effects on the environment.

By providing this data, TUIfly is helping to develop more sustainable practices for the aviation industry. The insights gained from these studies will inform the design of more eco-friendly aircraft, more efficient engines, and cleaner fuels—key factors in reducing the aviation sector’s overall environmental impact.

A Sustainable Future for Aviation

The A4Climate project is expected to have a significant impact on the aviation industry’s approach to climate change. By investigating the role of engine technologies, alternative fuels, and optimized flight routing, the project aims to create practical solutions that will help reduce the climate impact of contrails and other emissions from aircraft. These efforts are part of a broader push to make air travel more sustainable and reduce its contribution to global warming.

Through this initiative, TUIfly and its partners are exploring ways to incorporate these findings into everyday airline operations. The ultimate goal is to reduce the environmental footprint of air travel, improve the sustainability of aviation, and create a more eco-friendly future for the aviation industry.

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainability in Aviation

The collaboration between TUIfly and the German Aerospace Centre is a significant step toward understanding and reducing the environmental impact of contrails. By collecting real-time data, conducting innovative research, and fostering international cooperation, this project is providing valuable insights that will shape the future of sustainable air travel. As the A4Climate project continues to progress, it has the potential to revolutionize the aviation industry, reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.

TUIfly’s dedication to sustainability, coupled with its involvement in this crucial research, demonstrates the airline’s commitment to environmental stewardship while leading the way in transforming the aviation industry into a more sustainable and eco-friendly sector.

[Image Credit: TUI Group]