Emirates has soared to new heights in aviation sustainability, marking a significant milestone as the first airline to conduct a demonstration flight of an Airbus A380 powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in one of the superjumbo’s four engines.
Conducted on Wednesday, this landmark test flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) aimed to showcase the potential of clean fuel as a viable alternative to traditional jet kerosene, meeting the stringent technical and chemical requirements set by Emirates.
“Once we’ve completed this test, the next step will be the availability of SAF in various airports, and we are relying on fuel suppliers to start manufacturing and producing such a fuel at a volume that we will be requiring – that will be the challenge,” stated Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer, emphasising the need for increased production of SAF to support airlines.
The aviation industry is congregating in Dubai this week for the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s third Conference on Alternative Aviation Fuels, seeking to establish a global framework for SAF and lower-carbon aviation fuels, imperative for the sector to achieve its net-zero emissions target by 2050.
Emirates’ commitment to sustainable practices is evident from previous demonstrations, including the Boeing 777-300ER powered entirely by SAF earlier this year. The airline’s dedication aligns with the International Air Transport Association’s belief that SAF could contribute over 60% of the necessary emissions reduction in aviation by 2050.
However, challenges persist in acquiring sufficient SAF for operational needs due to limited production and higher costs compared to conventional jet fuel. Despite Emirates’ global operations, Al Redha highlighted industry-wide obstacles, stating, “It’s not about Emirates having a target, it’s about what’s really available in the industry.”
To address these challenges, a collaboration between industry stakeholders, including airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and fuel producers, is underway. Neste, a leading biofuel producer, is significantly scaling up its SAF production capacity, projecting to reach 1.5 million tonnes in 2024 and 2.2 million tonnes by 2026.
“While SAF remains expensive, the cost of continuing to fly on fossil fuels will be significantly higher for the environment,” emphasised Al Redha, highlighting the urgency of transitioning to sustainable practices in aviation.
Emirates’ successful test flight serves as a pivotal step in the industry’s quest for SAF standardisation and certification, paving the way for future adoption of 100% drop-in SAF as a replacement for jet fuel. Airbus has committed to making all its aircraft 100% SAF-capable by 2030, reinforcing the aviation sector’s pursuit of a sustainable future.
