A 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
On November 28th, a significant milestone was reached in the world of zero-emission aviation: Virgin Atlantic’s 100th flight made its journey from London Heathrow Airport to New York’s JFK Airport using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
What is SAF?
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a type of biofuel produced from renewable resources and used as an alternative to conventional aviation fuels derived from fossil sources, such as kerosene. SAF can be produced from various renewable feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, agricultural residues, residual fats, and even algae. These feedstocks are considered sustainable because they can be replenished, unlike the finite resources of fossil fuels.
The primary goal of sustainable aviation fuel is to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation and mitigate the environmental impact of air transport. Therefore, sustainable aviation fuel has an important role to play in the decarbonization of long-haul aviation and on the path to 2050. This fuel, made from waste, can reduce CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle by up to 70%, while offering the same performance as the conventional jet fuel it replaces.
Adoption of more ecological and sustainable aviation practices
Virgin Atlantic’s historic flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) marks the culmination of a year of radical collaboration aimed at demonstrating SAF’s ability to safely replace fossil-derived kerosene while being compatible with today’s engines, airframes, and fuel infrastructures.
The development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels are part of a broader effort by the aviation industry to embrace more ecological and sustainable practices. Governments, airlines, and industry stakeholders are collaborating to increase the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels to mitigate the environmental impact of air transport.
Congratulations to Virgin Atlantic for achieving this very important milestone on the path to sustainability.