Saxon Air, based at the Klyne Business Aviation Centre in Norwich, has been honoured with the Aviation Sustainability & Environmental Award at the 2024 Aviation Industry Awards UK. This accolade highlights Saxon Air's commitment to driving innovation in sustainable aviation. The company was also named a finalist for the Aviation Company of the Year award, standing alongside industry giants such as EasyJet, British Airways and Imparta.

Founded in 2007, Saxon Air has rapidly grown within the private and business aviation sector, offering a comprehensive range of services including aircraft charter, management, maintenance, FBO services and flight training. With sustainability at the heart of its mission, the company continues to champion initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of aviation.

The Aviation Sustainability & Environmental Award recognises its pioneering approach to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of its operations. As the UK's first low-emission flight training school, Saxon Air operates cutting-edge electric aircraft like the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the world's first certified electric aircraft. This revolutionary technology, combined with the company's strategic investment in sustainable fuels, solar-powered infrastructure and electric vehicle initiatives, positions it at the forefront of greener aviation.

Among its innovative sustainability initiatives are workshops and hands-on experiences for all staff; team members are offered flights in the Velis Electro as part of an holistic approach to sustainability, which also includes comprehensive carbon offset programmes for customers and staff, promoting electric vehicle usage with on-site EV charging and utilising SAF on its fleet.

From 2023 to 2024, Saxon Air has recorded significant CO2 reductions, notably achieving a 32.46 per cent decrease in commuting emissions among staff through the introduction of a departmental carbon budgeting system. The company also aims to use 100,000 litres of SAF by 2024.

Saxon Air has also undertaken numerous community engagement projects to foster environmental awareness both within the company and across the local community. These include beekeeping courses for staff in partnership with Centaurea Apiary and environmental education projects such as tree planting and bee ecology initiatives.

Saxon Air CEO Alex Durand, a founding member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Business Climate Leaders Group and vice chair of the BBGA, has played a pivotal role in advocating for sustainability within the aviation industry. Under his leadership, Saxon Air continues to contribute to national and international conversations on the future of aviation, including electric aircraft infrastructure development and carbon reduction strategies.

“We understand that the aviation industry has to show leadership in decarbonising, but at the same time recognise there's significant work to do,” he says. “By embracing this challenge we've seen inspired innovation and how it can create opportunities for the wider community. Aviation is about connecting people, and this award encourages us to continue this work.”

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the company aims to make further investments in renewable energy such as installing vertical wind turbines and expanding solar power capabilities to charge electric vehicles and aircraft.