China Begins SAF Pilot With Commercial Flights, Airports; To Ramp Up In 2025
Sustainability In The Air
Separating the signal from the noise in sustainable travel through the industry's leading podcast, book, and newsletters
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry Updates
Asia Pacific nations have adopted the Delhi Declaration, committing to sustainable aviation, enhanced safety, and technological innovation. The declaration sets ambitious targets for the future of air travel in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.
Formula 1 has invested in SAF for air cargo to and from flyaway races, covering about 20% of cargo flights this season. This initiative is estimated to save over 4,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Indonesia will require flights to use SAF in their fuel mix from 2027, starting with 1% for international flights. The country's SAF roadmap prioritises used cooking oil and palm fatty acid distillate as feedstocks.
India and the US have agreed to promote sustainable aviation fuel, electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and use of hydrogen in buses and heavy equipment.
Gevo, Inc. has been granted a US patent for its ethanol to olefins process, strengthening its position in bio-based renewable fuel production. The technology aims to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency in biofuel and biochemical production.
The San Francisco 49ers have become the first NFL team to purchase sustainable aviation fuel, covering their game-related flying on United Airlines from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
AirAsia and Airbus have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore initiatives reducing aviation's carbon emissions in Southeast Asia, including SAF production and more efficient air traffic management.
A new study suggests that springtime pollen surges can influence cloud formation and rainfall. As global temperatures rise, increasing pollen counts may lead to more frequent springtime precipitation, potentially impacting future climate predictions and models.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
easyJet is transitioning to electric maintenance vehicles across its key UK and European bases, aiming to reduce engineering fleet emissions by 28%. The airline plans to have 80% of its bases operating with fully electric maintenance vans by 2025.
Belfast City Airport has introduced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel across its entire fleet of airside vehicles and equipment, reducing annual carbon vehicle emissions by up to 90% compared to standard diesel.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Summit Next Gen plans to establish the world's largest ethanol-to-jet sustainable aviation fuel facility at Houston Ship Channel in Texas. The plant aims to produce 250 million gallons of SAF annually using Honeywell's ETJ technology.
AIR COMPANY has secured $69 million in funding, with aviation fuel supplier Avfuel leading the round. The company converts carbon dioxide into climate-friendly products using a process mimicking photosynthesis.
Neste , ITOCHU Corporation , and GS Caltex have collaborated to make the first batch of CORSIA-eligible, ISCC-certified SAF available for purchase at Narita International Airport in Japan, ahead of CORSIA's mandatory phase in 2027.
Fiji Airways , The Fiji Sugar Corporation Ltd , and LEC Partners are evaluating the feasibility of sustainable aviation fuel production in Fiji. The study, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) , aims to create new economic opportunities for local farmers.
Virgin Australia has become the first international airline to use SAF produced by Indonesia's state-owned energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) . The SAF complies with international sustainability and carbon certification frameworks.
China has launched a sustainable aviation fuel pilot programme involving 12 commercial flights from three major airlines departing from four international airports. The programme will gradually expand to include more partners throughout 2025.
Simply Blue Group , an Irish clean energy project developer, plans to launch a SAF hub in Atlantic Canada. The hub will utilise renewable electricity from the company's solar and wind farms to produce SAF.
Japanese energy firm ENEOS has launched a SAF book and claim service powered by Shell's Avelia blockchain solution, allowing airlines and corporates in Japan to purchase environmental attributes of SAF.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
Tweed New Haven Regional Airport has been chosen as the first US commercial airport to join NASA's "Airport as Energy Nodes" project, researching how airports can provide renewable energy for future zero-emission electric aviation.
BETA TECHNOLOGIES has inaugurated three new electric aircraft chargers at airports across Florida, expanding its nationwide charging network. The universal charging stations can power various types of electric aircraft and ground vehicles.
Volar Air Mobility and Etihad Aviation Training have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on advanced electric aircraft operations, supporting the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 agenda and promoting advanced air mobility solutions.
We hope you enjoyed reading this week’s highlights. Subscribe for free to receive new posts straight in your inbox.