Heathrow Airport has partnered with Vitol Aviation and Neste to introduce sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) into its fuel supply as a proof of concept.
Enough SAFs to cover five to ten short-haul flights has been introduced into the supply from today and will be blended to use across flights operating at Heathrow over the next few days ahead of the G7 Summit next week.
Neste’s MY SAF is produced from renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal and fish fat waste. In its neat form, it reduces up to 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use.
Heathrow has called for the UK Government to set escalating mandates that require a minimum of 10 per cent SAF use by airlines by 2030, increasing to at least 50 per cent by 2050.
Heathrow chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye said: “As we get ready to welcome the world to the G7, we can demonstrate how this technology can significantly cut carbon from aviation, whilst protecting its benefits. The UK Government now has an opportunity to create a new British growth industry by backing sustainable aviation fuel production and also be leaders in the race to a net zero 2050.”