Airlines worldwide face increasing pressure to address the environmental impact of their operations. Heightened climate scrutiny from governments, investors, and the flying public is reshaping industry practices. In response, airlines are adopting innovative strategies to reduce and offset their greenhouse gas emissions. Among these emerging solutions, direct air carbon capture (DAC) credits are gaining attention as a promising way to mitigate aviation’s climate footprint.
The Climate Challenge for Global Aviation
Aviation is responsible for about 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions annually. Despite progress in fuel efficiency, absolute emissions continue to rise as air travel demand grows. Existing solutions, such as sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), remain costly and in limited supply. Consequently, airlines must look for scalable, reliable, and innovative carbon offsetting approaches. The industry faces increasing regulatory requirements, including the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Pressure is mounting from climate advocacy groups demanding more accountability and transparency. Investors also demand climate risk disclosures and decarbonization roadmaps from leading airline companies. These trends push airlines to increasingly experiment with new technologies and offsetting methods. The adoption of direct carbon capture credits is an example of such experimentation aimed at building climate credibility.
What is Direct Air Carbon Capture?
Direct air carbon capture involves technology that removes carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. Special machines use filters or chemical solutions to trap carbon molecules. After capture, the carbon is usually stored deep underground or used in products, preventing its return to the atmosphere. DAC can provide a permanent and verifiable reduction of atmospheric CO2, distinguishing it from traditional offsets such as reforestation or renewable energy projects.
This technology is still developing, with only a handful of commercial-scale DAC plants in operation globally. However, the potential is significant. Experts suggest DAC, alongside emissions reductions, will play a vital role in achieving net-zero goals. The aviation sector, seeking credible carbon-neutral solutions, has emerged as an early adopter of DAC credits.
Airlines Engage DAC Credits in Climate Strategies
Several major airlines have begun to pilot and purchase DAC credits to offset the emissions of passenger flights. United Airlines was among the first carriers to commit to purchasing carbon removal credits from firms like 1PointFive and Carbon Engineering. Other airlines, including American Airlines, easyJet, and Lufthansa, have also indicated interest or made preliminary agreements with DAC providers.
These initiatives signal a shift toward higher-quality, permanent offsets in climate strategies. Airlines often purchase DAC credits as part of broader decarbonization packages that include SAF and operational improvements. Some carriers offer these credits directly to customers as part of voluntary offset programs. Others use DAC credits to meet internal carbon neutrality targets or regulatory obligations under schemes like CORSIA.
How Do DAC Credits Work for Airlines?
Airlines calculate their operational carbon footprint based on fuel consumption and flight distances. For every tonne of CO2 emitted, they may purchase one credit from a recognized DAC project. Each credit corresponds to the removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Third-party organizations usually verify these removals to ensure transparency and credibility.
DAC credits typically cost significantly more than traditional offsets, reflecting the cost and permanence of the technology. While prices vary, some DAC credits exceed $600 per tonne, compared to as little as $10 for forestry offsets. Airlines participating in early pilots are willing to pay a premium to demonstrate leadership and differentiate their climate efforts.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Direct Carbon Capture Offsetting
DAC offsets offer unparalleled permanence and measurability compared to some nature-based solutions. Because they rely on engineered systems, DAC removals are less susceptible to reversal, such as wildfires releasing stored forest carbon. The technology can scale with enough investment, potentially offering a viable pathway to net-zero for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation.
However, critics argue that DAC is energy-intensive and expensive. Current facilities require vast amounts of clean electricity to operate efficiently. Critics worry that overreliance on expensive removal technologies could distract airlines from making essential reductions in direct emissions, such as adopting SAF or more efficient aircraft. There’s also skepticism about whether large-scale deployment of DAC could outpace the rising volume of aviation emissions.
Regulatory and Market Implications
The adoption of DAC credits is shaping the future of carbon markets. Regulators and standard-setting bodies are debating how to classify and count these credits under existing and emerging systems. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is reviewing what types of removals will qualify under CORSIA in the next compliance periods.
Some governments offer incentives for carbon removal, further encouraging airlines to invest in early-stage projects. The United States Inflation Reduction Act, for instance, offers tax credits for carbon capture and storage initiatives. These developments could catalyze more airline participation, accelerating the commercialization of DAC solutions.
Public Perception and Communication Challenges
Airlines must also navigate how they communicate the use of DAC credits to passengers and stakeholders. Transparency about the scale, effectiveness, and limitations of carbon removal is crucial. Consumer advocacy groups and NGOs regularly scrutinize airline climate claims, raising concerns about greenwashing if offsetting efforts are not matched by tangible emissions reductions.
To maintain trust, airlines are increasingly publishing detailed reports on their carbon offset portfolios and working with third-party certification bodies. Passenger education campaigns help explain how carbon removal technologies work and why they matter. These steps are central to building customer trust in offset programs and maintaining a social license to operate.
Looking Ahead: The Role of DAC in Airline Climate Strategy
The integration of direct air carbon capture credits signals a transformative shift in airline decarbonization. This technology provides one of the few available options for permanent CO2 removal, essential for industries with hard-to-abate emissions. While DAC remains expensive, scale and innovation could drive costs down over the next decade. Early investment by airlines will help accelerate this transition.
Industry observers predict that DAC credits will complement, not replace, other climate solutions for airlines. Sustainable aviation fuel adoption and efficiency improvements will remain central to reducing emissions. Direct air capture, meanwhile, supports the drive towards true net-zero by addressing residual, unavoidable emissions. As regulatory and consumer expectations rise, airlines will likely expand their use of advanced offsets, including DAC, in the years ahead.
Conclusion
Airlines are innovating under mounting climate scrutiny, piloting direct air carbon capture credits as a way to offset flight emissions credibly. This approach marks a significant evolution beyond traditional offsets, offering permanence and transparency. Despite high costs and technological challenges, early adoption signals industry commitment to climate leadership. The journey to true net-zero for aviation may prove long and costly, but every credible tool, including DAC, will play a role in reaching ambitious global climate targets.
