SkyTeam has announced the winners of the Aviation Challenge (The Aviation Challenge – TAC) 2025, which aims to accelerate sustainable innovation in the aviation industry. At the ceremony held in Copenhagen, environmental and operational achievements were recognised across 18 categories.
Global airline alliance SkyTeam revealed the winners of the Aviation Challenge (TAC) 2025, an initiative launched to encourage collaboration and tangible impact in sustainable aviation. At the awards ceremony hosted by SAS in Copenhagen, Denmark, innovative solutions and practices in sustainability were honoured in 18 different categories.
Record Participation, Record Flights
The fourth edition of TAC brought together 22 airlines for the second time, including non-SkyTeam member airlines, subsidiaries and affiliates. Between 26 September and 26 October 2025, participants operated more than 80 demonstration flights, the highest number to date.
As a result of these flights:
An average improvement of 13.5% in CO₂ intensity (CO₂/RTK) was achieved compared with each airline’s own standard operations.
A 12% reduction in CO₂ intensity was recorded compared with the industry average.
These gains were made possible through operational practices such as route optimisation, maintenance improvements, weight-reduction initiatives and the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
“Impact” Theme Takes Centre Stage
SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux emphasised that the 2025 challenge focused on tangible and measurable outcomes under the theme of “Impact”:
“The innovation and commitment demonstrated by participating airlines show that a more responsible aviation future is possible. TAC highlights how collective action delivers real progress every year.”
Mads Brandstrup, Senior Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability at SAS, highlighted the importance of shared learning across the alliance:
“Aviation moves forward not through isolated initiatives, but through collective efforts. We saw a strong example of this in Copenhagen.”
224 Applications, Multi-Layered Evaluation
A total of 224 solutions and initiatives were submitted for TAC 2025. All entries were evaluated by an independent panel of aviation and sustainability experts, including the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and PA Consulting. The final winners were selected by a jury comprising industry leaders from organisations such as ACI World, ATAG, EUROCONTROL, Cargolux, Fiskars Group and SimpliFlying.
TAC 2025 Award Winners
DIRECT IMPACT AWARDS
- Flight Operations: Air Europa – AI-supported climb optimisation
- Ground Operations: Scandinavian Airlines – Advanced de-icing practices
- Cargo: Saudia – Reusable cargo nets
- MRO: Delta Air Lines – Foam-based engine washing technology
- Catering: Kenya Airways – Elimination of single-use plastics
- Onboard Products: Vietnam Airlines – Reusable containers
CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION AWARDS
- Sustainability Training: Air Europa
- Transformative Impact with SAF: China Airlines
- Sustainable Procurement: Air France
- Data and Analytics Pioneer: Korean Air
LEADERSHIP AWARDS
- Breakthrough Individual of the Year: Miriam Wangombe (Kenya Airways)
- Team of the Year: TUI Tiger Team
- Best Cross-Industry Collaboration: Virgin Atlantic
- Trailblazer of the Year: KLM Cityhopper – 100% SAF ticket initiative
INSPIRATION AWARDS
- Best Demonstration Flight: KLM
- Best Knowledge Sharing: Air France – SAF Connect
- Most Compelling Story: JamboJet
- Best Report: Transavia Netherlands
Airlines participating in TAC 2025 included global players such as Air France, Delta Air Lines, KLM, Korean Air, SAS, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and TUI.
