Project Napkin, New Aviation Propulsion Knowledge and Innovation Network, will draft a blueprint for zero-carbon regional air travel in the UK through the introduction of new technologies and procedures.

Fly2Plan, meanwhile, will look at ways to use data collected by the airport more efficiently, which Heathrow says has the potential to break down barriers to new entrants, cut costs, and even pave the way for autonomous drone flight in UK airspace.

Innovate UK’s Future Flight Challenge is funded through £125 million in government grants, and aims to safeguard the UK’s aerospace prowess, cut emissions, and create new economic opportunities.

Heathrow said it was vital the UK used its airspace more efficiently, with autonomous drones and low carbon regional flight supporting ambitions to level up the country by connecting more UK regions to global growth sources.

Initial research across both concepts will run into early 2022, with subsequent phases set to put the ideas into operation ahead of wider adoption across the UK’s aviation industry.

"These concepts go further than ever before, with the potential to transform the role that aviation plays in Britain’s economy," said Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye.

"The Future Flight Challenge has come at a critical time for the country and our industry. We’re proud to be driving forward with these disruptive initiatives in the year that the UK hosts COP26 and our industry builds back better, as we work to recover from the devastating impacts of this pandemic."