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Aviation contributes to anthropogenic warming through both CO₂ and non-CO₂ effects. Among the latter, contrail cirrus exerts a substantial aviation-induced radiative forcing despite atmospheric lifetimes of only a few hours, and remains one of the largest sources of uncertainty in current climate impact assessments. This presentation shows new results on the formation, evolution, and climate impact of contrails, with a focus on particle emissions, contrail microphysics, and mitigation potential. Airborne in situ observations were conducted with the DLR research aircraft Falcon and the Gulfstream G550 HALO to quantify the effects of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), advanced engine technologies, and operational measures on contrail properties. Engine exhaust and contrail characteristics were measured at distances ranging from 50 m to 100 km downstream of the source aircraft to detect the effects of fossil and e-fuels, as well as lean-burn engines. Our measurements provide key constraints on soot particle number emissions, ice crystal number concentrations, and contrail optical properties, supporting improved representation of contrail processes in engine, microphysical, and climate models.
In addition, results from a 100-flight operational trial with four commercial airlines are presented, in which contrail forecast and satellite detection data were used to assess the feasibility of contrail mitigation through targeted flight trajectory adjustments. The combined observational and operational datasets enable a quantitative assessment of the contrail mitigation potential, associated uncertainties, and trade-offs. Overall, the results demonstrate that improved contrail detection, together with targeted technological and operational measures, can significantly constrain and reduce aviation-induced climate forcing.
Dr. Christiane Voigt leads the Cloud Physics Department at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and is Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. She has more than 20 years of experience in aircraft measurements of aerosol and clouds, satellite data analysis, and modeling, focusing on aerosol–cloud–radiation interactions and their modification by aviation.
She has co-authored over 150 scientific publications, including articles in Nature and Science, and has supervised and trained many PhDs and early career scientists. She advises authorities, industry, and the public with the goal to reduce the climate impact of aviation. Her research focuses on the development of mitigation measures through engine and fuel design, and operational strategies toward competitive and climate-compatible aviation.
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