From applied research to in-flight experimentation, the future of sustainable aviation is increasingly shaped by collaboration between Academia, industry, and institutional stakeholders.

This was the key message emerging from the Sustainable Aviation Workshop, organized within SDA Bocconi School of Management’s Master in Sustainability Management (MSM), which brought together international experts, leading aviation companies, and representatives of the Italian Air Force to discuss the challenges and opportunities linked to Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).

One of the highlights of the event was the contribution of the Italian Air Force’s Aerospace Experimental Test Division (DASAS), which shared with students its ongoing research, testing, and certification activities focused on sustainable fuels for military aviation.

Opening the session, Colonel Giuseppe Gentile, Commander of the Italian Air Force Flight Test Department, Lt.Col. Luigi CASSIOLI introduced the mission and role of the Aerospace Experimental Test Division in supporting innovation, certification, and technological development in the aerospace sector.

Lt.Col. Luigi Cassioli then provided an overview of Sustainable Aviation Fuels within the military aviation framework, exploring current SAF technologies, the strategic role of hydrogen, and the challenges associated with decarbonizing the aviation industry. He also highlighted how the development of sustainable aviation fuels can contribute not only to environmental sustainability but also to national energy security, by reducing dependence on fossil fuels imported from geopolitically sensitive regions.

Particularly relevant was the presentation dedicated to the Italian Air Force’s flight testing activities involving SAF-powered military aircraft. Major Michele Minato and Captain Adamo Merola illustrated the experimental pathway developed by the Flight Test Wing, culminating in the first T-346A flight powered by a 30% HEFA SAF blend.

The experience presented during the workshop highlighted how sustainability is becoming an increasingly strategic topic also within the aerospace and defence sectors, where technological innovation, operational safety, and environmental responsibility must evolve together.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrea Chiappa concluded the session with a broader perspective on SAF market evolution, industrial scalability, and the strategic implications for Europe and the aviation sector, emphasizing the critical role of investment, innovation, and new energy infrastructures.

The workshop offered MSM students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with professionals and institutions actively shaping the sustainable transition of the aviation industry, further strengthening the connection between managerial education, technological innovation, and real-world impact.

SDA Bocconi School of Management