Callum Thomas

As the aviation industry recovers from the pandemic it must simultaneously grapple with demands for more environmental measures and reductions in carbon emissions. In its response the industry is able to call upon the expertise and experience of Professor Callum Thomas. As the world’s first Professor of Sustainable Aviation Callum Thomas has worked in air transport and the environment for more than thirty years, initially at Manchester Airport, and since ’98 as a Professor at the Manchester Metropolitan University. During that time he has established a unique international reputation with governments, within the airline industry, and with academia.

Professor Thomas provides expert consultancy, research, and training in aviation environment and sustainability issues from both an operational and strategic perspective. He has been an advisor to the European Commission, the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and  UK Government including to the Airports Commission, established to consider the siting of a new runway in South East England. He has appeared as a witness before the UK Parliament Transport Select Committee and has addressed the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism.

Today Professor Thomas speaks to the industry and beyond informing on climate change adaptation, on building resilience, and on managing carbon. His experience includes the development and delivery of one of the first studies into the Implications of the Changing Climate for Aviation featuring in the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change 2014 Update Report. He also contributed to a major research investigation funded by the UK National Air Traffic Services. He developed background materials and draft commitments on Net Zero Carbon Airports and Net Zero Carbon Aviation adopted by the Governing Board of the Airports Council International (EUROPE) in 2019. Furthermore he has advised on management of noise and community impacts and the development of management systems to maximise airport environmental capacity.

Supporting development of the concept of sustainable aviation, Professor Thomas has worked with organisations as diverse as ATAG (IATA), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Freedom to Fly, Greener by Design, the Local Government Association, Manchester Airports Group, Sustainable Aviation, Ove Arup and Partners, and the World Economic Forum. Other research partners have included Airbus Toulouse, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Manchester Airport, Ove Arup and Partners, and the World Duty Free Group.

Professor Thomas speaks on every aspect of the sustainable development of air transport: the future of technologies, markets, and regulation. He is available to present both virtually and in person via Specialist Speakers.

NEW: Prof Thomas presented the keynote to Hotrec – Hospitality Europe – at the first Forum on Sustainability in Rhodes, 9th April 2024.