Flying by plane, convenient as it is, is extremely detrimental to the environment. Planes emit copious amounts of carbon emissions and if our planet has to be saved, a better fuel alternative has to be found. Fortunately, there are better alternatives. Sustainable Aviation Fuel or SAF was recently used in a Virgin Atlantic flight. The Virgin Atlantic flight marked the world’s first SAF flight and was flown from London to New York.
Virgin Atlantic Flies World’s First Sustainable Aviation Fuel Flight
History at 38,000ft. Virgin Atlantic is currently flying the world’s first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight across the Atlantic by a commercial airline. Flight100 marks the culmination of more than a year of radical cross industry collaboration to see this take to the skies. pic.twitter.com/97mLaa4hoj
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) November 28, 2023
Recently, Virgin Atlantic created history by flying a landmark flight from the Heathrow Airport in London to the John F Kennedy International Airport in New York. It was the first flight in the world to be flown using 100 per cent SAF. The flight took off on November 28, 2023. Called Flight100, it is a significant milestone towards Net Zero by 2050.
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Net Zero by 2050 is a goal that many countries have set out to achieve in order to reduce climate change and environmental issues. India, too, has announced that it will attempt to reach net zero by 2050. Simply put, Net Zero Emissions mean that the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the atmosphere is the same as greenhouse gases being removed.
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This means that countries would have to severely reduce their consumption of coal, gas, oil, etc. According to many reports, however, so far, only four countries are on track to actually achieve net zero emissions by 2050. They are the UK, Namibia, Denmark, and Botswana. The Virgin Atlantic flight shows that SAF can be a viable alternative to fossil-derived jet fuel.
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More About Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Flight #VS100 was over a year in the making. Hear from a few on board about how it feels now that all the preparation has turned into reality and we’ve made history. @HollyBranson pic.twitter.com/xu8T7JRn8j
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) November 28, 2023
SAF is crucial in reducing carbon emissions in long-haul flights. The fuel delivers CO2 lifecycle emissions savings of up to 70 per cent and is made from waste products. Despite this, it works just like the traditional jet fuel. As of now, only 0.1 per cent of the global jet fuel volumes is represented by SAF. The challenge is mainly of policy and investment.
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Once both these issues are solved, there can be a thriving SAF industry in the UK. The Flight100 used a unique dual blend which consisted of 88 per cent Hydroprocessed Esters Fatty Acids or HEFA. The HEFA is made of waste fats and was supplied by AirBP. 12 per cent of the SAF consisted of Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene or SAK, which is made from plant sugars.
In a press release, the airline stated that it was committed to finding more sustainable ways to fly.
Also Read: London-Tel Aviv British Airways Flight Turned Back Mid-Air; Flights On Route Suspended By Airline
Do you think more airlines should adopt SAF as their fuel of choice in order to save the environment? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: Press Release
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