The first transatlantic flight powered entirely by sustainable fuels is set to take off on Tuesday morning. The flight, operated by Virgin Atlantic, will travel from London’s Heathrow to New York’s JFK airport. The flight is seen by airlines as proof that a more environmentally friendly way of flying is possible.
Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can be made from various sources such as crops, household waste, and cooking oils. The plane for this flight, a Boeing 787, will be filled with 50 tonnes of SAF, 88 percent of which is derived from waste fats and the remaining from corn production waste in the US.
The flight was approved by the UK regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, after tests and analysis. Several companies, including Rolls-Royce and BP, have been involved in the project.
The aviation industry views SAF as the most effective way to reduce its net emissions to zero. While planes still emit carbon when using SAF, the industry claims that the “lifecycle emissions” of these fuels can be up to 70 percent lower.
Currently, SAF is used in small quantities, mixed with traditional jet fuel, and makes up less than 0.1 percent of the aviation fuel consumed globally. It is more expensive than kerosene, and production is limited.
The UK government plans to have five commercial SAF plants under construction by 2025, and aims to require 10 percent of aviation fuel to be SAF by 2030. However, experts warn that SAF is not a magic solution to the industry’s emissions problem.
Dr Guy Gratton, associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, said that the use of SAF should be considered a stepping stone towards future, genuinely net zero technologies.
Airlines UK, which represents UK-registered carriers, said they need access to enough affordable SAF to meet the 2030 requirement. They also stressed the importance of sourcing as much SAF as possible from the UK to avoid higher fuel costs for UK passengers and potential job losses.
Environmental campaigners argue that the quickest way to reduce emissions is to fly less. However, UK ministers and the industry believe that “net zero” by 2050 is achievable even with an increase in passenger numbers.
