Monday, Emirates announced that a Boeing 777 powered by sustainable aviation fuel flew successfully. The Middle East’s largest airline aspires to reduce its jet fuel use by half.
The Dubai-based airline has utilized sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) since 2017, but its test flight was the “first in the Middle East and North Africa to be powered by 100 percent SAF” in one of the plane’s two engines, according to the airline.
Adel Al Redha, the chief operational officer of Emirate, described this flight as a momentous occasion.
Currently, commercial jet engines may utilize a maximum of 50 percent SAF combined with kerosene. SAFs are produced by converting sustainable biomass, regenerated vegetable oils, and collected CO2 or green hydrogen into synthetic fuels.
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“If by 2030 we obtain 50 percent of our fuel from SAF, it will be a significant accomplishment,” Al Redha told AFP.
“However, this will depend on the ability of the companies to produce and deliver it, as well as offer it at an affordable price.”
THE VOYAGE
Emirates stated that the flight on Monday took off from Dubai International Airport and flew for more than an hour above the city’s coastline.
Emirates stated that the SAF used in one engine “closely replicates the properties of conventional jet fuel” and that conventional jet fuel was utilized in the other engine.
SAFS may reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 80 percent throughout its full life cycle.
However, they represent less than 0.1% of aircraft fuel use and are two to four times more expensive.
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Al Redha stated, “If it is prohibitively expensive, airlines and businesses may be reluctant to use it.”
Monday’s protest occurred as the UAE prepares to host this year’s United Nations climate negotiations in November.
The United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s largest oil producers, is investing billions to create enough renewable energy to meet half of its demands by 2050 and to achieve net-zero domestic carbon emissions by that year.
»Emirates announces a “milestone” flight using sustainable fuel«