Flying off into the sunset

It’s with a fair degree of sadness that I announce GreenAir News will be closing at the end of September 2026.

Why? For two reasons, really. Firstly, time has finally caught up with me after 55 years working in and around the media. I have found it extremely rewarding, and a career high, to cover for the past 19 of those years the many developments that have taken place around aviation environmental and climate issues. Since I started GreenAir, this niche area of aviation sustainability has grown into an industry of its own.

I have met and worked with many wonderful people who have inspired me along the way and kept me going. But it’s now time to call it a day and start a new chapter.

Secondly, and in some ways a more important reason, GreenAir can’t survive financially on its own. The days when smaller business-to-business publishers could rely on income from advertising, sponsorships and paid subscribers are coming to an end. There is no shortage of companies and organisations willing to pay PR agencies well to send out news releases and set up media interviews – my inbox has grown exponentially in recent years. However, there is no trickle-down effect that financially benefits the media outlet that is expected to spread their message without charge.

Readers too have become used to accessing information and articles for free. Social media (in particular LinkedIn), blogs, podcasts and webinars, which are free to access, are the new sources of news, views and information.

As a consequence, the number of B2B specialist publications – and skilled journalists – will continue to dwindle away. I am seeing this already in the aviation and climate space.

It is no surprise then that I have struggled to find a new owner for GreenAir.

GreenAir has been able, like other media outlets, to be funded through running conferences and events. I was fortunate to team up with colleagues to organise and run the annual Aviation Carbon conference, which started in 2012, so making it the longest-running event covering aviation decarbonisation. We successfully built it up over the years, attracting blue-chip sponsors and delegates from around the world. As of earlier this year, the event has now passed into the capable hands of the SAE Media Group, who will take it forward to the next stage of its development.

With that revenue stream no longer available, it is not financially feasible for me to keep GreenAir going, unfortunately.

I would like to end by thanking all those who have contributed editorially and on a voluntary basis to GreenAir, in particular Tony Harrington, Mark Pilling and Chris Lyle. Thanks guys!

It’s been a great privilege to be part of the aviation sustainability movement and I wish the sector success in reaching its climate targets and playing a meaningful role in tackling the global climate emergency.

The GreenAir News website will continue to be live until the end of 2026 but won’t be updated. GreenAir email addresses, including my own (christopher@greenaironline.com), will likewise remain operational but response times may be lengthy.

Christopher Surgenor
Editor