A spectacular 4D projection light show transformed Berlin’s Humboldt-Box into a moving and pulsating canvas to demonstrate the benefits of smarter flight in the future. The show, which launches the Future by Airbus Smarter Skies vision of air travel in 2050 and beyond, illustrates in stunning perspective how smarter aircraft operations could cut travel times, reduce emissions and lead to fewer delays.

“Our light show unveils the significant benefits of combining smarter aircraft, smarter technology and smarter skies in 2050”, says Charles Champion, Executive Vice President Engineering at Airbus. “Our Smarter Skies vision is one where highly intelligent aircraft would be able to organise themselves and select the most efficient and environmentally friendly routes, making the best use of daily weather and atmospheric conditions. It is also one where aircraft might copy the best aspects of nature and fly like flocks of birds allowing them to travel more efficiently and lower their energy use.”

Beginning with a single paper aeroplane launched from the balcony of the Humboldt-Box, a maze of 3D blocks depicts the barriers and obstacles created by current national air space boundaries. A map of the world scattered with pin points and bright pulsing lines of light highlights the world’s busiest routes. The show then takes passengers forward in time to 2050 to demonstrate a world of flight where obstacles are removed, passenger travelling times are shortened, and where fuel use and emissions are reduced. The show closes with a fleet of Airbus concept planes flying in formation.

Charles Champion continues: “Our research for the Future by Airbus programme has shown that air passengers expect to fly more in the future, but they want to do so with fewer delays, less noise and more sustainably. The aviation industry has already committed to some of the toughest targets of any industry by pledging to cut aircraft emissions by 50% by 2050. Our Concept Plane has illustrated how aircraft design could contribute. Our Smarter Skies campaign, brought to life by this light display, demonstrates the future benefits that smart aircraft operations could bring if we work together as an industry to make them happen”.

The Future by Airbus Smarter Skies vision consists of five concepts which could be implemented across all stages of an aircraft’s operation. It includes aircraft launched into a continuous ‘eco-climb’, flying in formation using ‘express skyways’, ‘low noise’ glided approaches, low emission landing and ground operations and airports that grow their own alternative energy sources.