Introduction
The global aviation industry is currently navigating a transformative era where the traditional focus on technical progress is being expanded to include noise pollution, environmental sustainability, social repercussions, and economic consequences. This Special Issue, titled "Sustainable Aviation Technologies: Pathways and Challenges," aims to elucidate the latest advancements across diverse domains to reshape contemporary aerospace paradigms. By providing a platform for sharing new developments, the issue focuses on breakthrough innovations such as electric aircraft, sustainable aviation fuels, artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, and automation in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. The scope further extends to hydrogen fuel cells, hybrid-electric propulsion, and the integration of advanced mechatronics to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. This Special Issue directly addresses specific societal challenges and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), by fostering resilient infrastructure and mitigating the effects of airports and aircraft on global warming.
List of Topic Areas
Sustainable Aviation
Aircraft Technology
Unmanned Aerial Systems
Electric Aircraft Systems
More Electric Aircraft
Electric General Aviation
Electric in Airline Operation
Hybrid Electric Aircraft
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations
Alternative and Renewable Fuels in Aviation
Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Aviation
Electric in Airport Operation
Aircraft Propulsion
Aerospace Robotics and Mechatronics
Atmospheric and Space Flight Mechanics
Avionics, Radar Systems
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Aerospace Applications
Advances in Renewable Energy Systems in Aviation
Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
Airports
Environmental Issues and Climate Change Related to Aviation
Submission Information
Submissions of full manuscripts are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here:
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see:
Emerald Publishing Author Guidelines
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Dates
Closing date for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2026
