I have been asked why someone who loves bicycles, hates flying and stays up late at night thinking about our world in crisis would get into aviation. Here is our first post for Ingrid Aviation with some answers to this good question. A huge thank you to the people who have supported this effort over the last year as we move from an idea on paper to the future of flying differently. Philippe Wilmart Ty Boshyan Dr. Bettina Maisch Tatiana Feuerhahn Oliver Durrer Sundar Swaminathan Joe Bilman Josh HICKEY And a sign of my gratitude to the many more who have given us input, feedback, and guidance as we move along this journey.
Why start an aviation business in a world in crisis? Because it’s exactly what the world needs—if we do it differently. Aviation, as it exists today, is unsustainable. It’s built on fossil fuels, financialization, and a broken business model addicted to unlimited growth at the expense of our planet. Flying is so ubiquitous that it is the first choice when traveling long distances, all while becoming the symbol of environmental destruction. But abandoning aviation is not the answer. Instead, we must reinvent it—because people will keep flying, and our responsibility is to make it sustainable, fair, and forward-looking. If we don’t act now, the future of aviation will continue to be dictated by legacy systems that refuse to change. The industry is locked into an outdated paradigm: burning carbon to chase razor-thin profits while ignoring the catastrophic environmental consequences. These companies can’t—or won’t—commit to the systemic change required to transition aviation into a model that works for the Earth, not against it. Starting a new business in a crisis is an opportunity to lead, disrupt, and accelerate innovation where others have failed. It’s a chance to prove that profit and responsibility are not incompatible. By fully committing to cleaner and lower CO2 emitting alternatives, like Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and, eventually, zero-emission aircraft, we can show the industry and the world what flying can look like in a post-fossil fuel economy. By rejecting the myth of unlimited growth, we can create a business model that thrives within planetary boundaries—focused on efficiency and balance. An airline built for this moment doesn’t just move people from one place to another. It becomes a catalyst for change—accelerating the adoption of clean technologies, driving investments in sustainable infrastructure, and holding itself accountable to the planet and the communities it serves. We don’t need another aviation business built to maximize short-term profit while externalizing its costs to future generations. We need a new organization that can become part of the solution—one that commits to being a steward of the planet, not an exploiter. Starting Ingrid Aviation is not just a choice; it’s a responsibility. To preserve the connections, cultures, and opportunities that flight enables, we must rewrite aviation rules with environmentally sound technology and sustainable business models. It’s time to turn this crisis into a turning point. The future of flying—and the health of our planet—depends on it.
"For it is the crazy ones who think they can change the world, that actually do...". Thank you Manuel for this important initiative. I feel honored and energized to support the Ingrid Aviation journey with SwissLEAP , for it is one of the examples that are top of mind, when we say "let's innovate with impact".
I am so thrilled being a part of Ingrid Aviation and the joint entrepreneurial journey with you Manuel Toscano and your team. It is so relevant and urgent to address sustainability in aviation and create impactful and attractive solutions.
Future Energy Global | Aviation Sustainability & Strategy
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