Delta Airlines and Junior Achievement Europe partner to launch Sustainable Skies Challenge
The Sustainable Skies Challenge aims to devise innovative and sustainable aviation solutions among Europe’s brightest young minds.
This year, Delta inaugurated the Sustainable Skies Challenge, an ambitious project in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Europe that sought to devise innovative and sustainable aviation solutions among Europe's brightest young people. The competition, which took place in Atlanta May 21-22, was highlighted at the GEN-E 2024 festival (July 2-4 in Catania, Italy), where thousands of young entrepreneurs showcased their cutting-edge business ideas and competed for the titles of “Best Company” and “Best Startup of the Year.”
The GEN-E 2024 Festival brought together young entrepreneurs, industry leaders and educators to celebrate and inspire innovation. The event featured a variety of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, career fairs and networking opportunities, designed to empower young people and promote sustainable business practices.
In April, nine teams from across Europe took part in a pitch competition, researching and presenting unique, environmentally friendly solutions that could have a positive impact across the industry. From advanced research into cogeneration to designing in-flight uniforms using fruit fibre, these solutions are a testament to the next generation of creativity and commitment to tackling climate change.
Three teams of JA Europe alumni have been selected to take part in the final pitch of the Sustainable Skies Challenge.
Lithuanian team Nocta French team Fictionnal Jobs Dutch team The Sky Isn't the Limit
Two members from each team flew to Delta headquarters in Atlanta to present their ideas to Delta leaders, including Tad Hutchison, managing director of community engagement, Kelly Lauber, general manager of global sustainability and strategy, Ekrem Dinbiroglu, managing director of inflight entertainment and Wi-Fi experience, and Gail Grimmett, SVP of sustainability performance and strategic partnerships.
The winning team, “The Sky Isn't the Limit,” presented an innovative idea and business plan to make airline food supply chains more sustainable.
At GEN-E 2024, Tricia Rumola, General Manager, Community Engagement, and Matteo Curcio, Senior Vice President, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) and JA Europe Board Member, judged the Senior Secondary Education competition, presenting the Delta Air Lines Sustainable Innovation Award to winner Plantech. Plantech's business model aims to innovate the future of plant care with self-watering plant pot technology that users can control using an app, making gardening easy for even the busiest people.
“No idea or initiative is too small to consider, so don't let obstacles stop you,” Curcio said. “(Delta) supports organizations like Junior Achievement because we're teaching young people how to be stewards of the future. Solutions exist; we just need to create them.”
The success of the Sustainable Skies Challenge highlights Delta's commitment to sustainability and its role in shaping a greener future for the aviation industry.
Delta's partnership with Junior Achievement spans 30 chapters across five continents, teaching students financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, and we look forward to continuing to work together to drive meaningful change and inspiration for the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
© 2024 Delta Airlines
