Electric flying taxis and hydrogen-powered aircraft are just some of the projects that will receive a share of the funding, which was announced by the business and transport secretaries.
While aviation is only responsible for around 2 per cent of anthropogenic carbon emissions, this is expected to rise as the number of passengers is expected to double by 2037. The sector is also more difficult to decarbonise than ground-based transport or electricity networks.
The UK was one of the first countries to include curbing aviation emissions in their climate targets in 2021.
Among the projects to receive some of the funding is Bristol-based electric aircraft manufacturer Vertical Aerospace, which will develop high-end, lightweight batteries, as well as projects led by Rolls-Royce to develop the building blocks of a liquid-hydrogen combusting jet engine.
The projects should also help to secure thousands of jobs across the supply chain and provide a catalyst for...