This year, Delta held the inaugural Sustainable Skies Challenge, an ambitious project in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Europe. The challenge aimed to formulate innovative sustainable aviation solutions among Europe's brightest young minds. The competition, held May 21-22 in Atlanta, received a spotlight 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 Start-Up 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 range of activities, including workshops, panel discussions, career fairs and networking opportunities—all designed to empower youth and encourage sustainable business practices.  

In April, nine teams from across Europe competed in a pitch competition where they researched and presented unique, eco-friendly solutions with positive potential impact in the broader industry. From advanced research in cogeneration, to designing inflight uniforms using fruit fibers, the solutions were a testament to the creativity and commitment of the next generation in tackling climate change. 

Three teams of JA Europe Alumni were selected to participate in the final Sustainable Skies Challenge pitch:  

• Team Nocta from Lithuania  

• Team Fictionnal Jobs from France 

• Team The Sky Isn’t the Limit from the Netherlands 

Two members from each team flew to Delta’s headquarters in Atlanta and presented their ideas to a panel of Delta leaders that included Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director of Community Engagement; Kelly Lauber, General Manager for Global Sustainability and Strategy; Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director of Inflight Entertainment and Wi-Fi Experience; Gail Grimmett, S.V.P. – Sustainability Performance & Strategic Partnerships. 

The winner, The Sky Isn’t the Limit, presented an innovative idea and business plan to make the airline food supply chain more sustainable.  

At GEN-E 2024, Tricia Rumola, General Manager of Community Engagement and Matteo Curcio, Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India (EMEAI) and JA Europe Board Member served as judges for the Upper-Secondary competition, where the winner, Plantech, was presented with the Delta Air Lines Sustainable Innovation Award. Plantech’s business model seeks to innovate the future of plant care with a self-watering plant pot technology that users can control using an app—making it easier for busy people to have a green thumb.  

Matteo Curcio expressed his enthusiasm for this competition and Delta’s sustainability efforts during a special podcast episode recorded ahead of the GEN-E 2024 festival.