Sustainable aviation fuel is an important part of the aviation industry’s goal to become more friendly to the environment. Today, aviation sector is responsible for approximately 3% of global CO2 emissions and the industry has pledged to become net zero by 2050. According to the International Air Transport Association, SAF could contribute to 65% reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero in 2050.
Only US can sustainably collect 1 billion dry tons of biomass every year that can be used to produce 50 to 60 billions gallons of lo carbon biofuels. The main resources include:
- Corn grain
- Oil seeds
- Algae
- Municipal solid waste streams
- Other fats, oils, and greases
- Agricultural residues
- Dedicated energy crops
- Forestry residues
- Wood mill waste
- Wet wastes such as manures, wastewater treatment sludge
The main drawbacks of SAF:
- Considerably more expensive than jet fuel (3 to 5 times more expensive)
- Consumers will nee to cover the costs
- Infrastructure and supply
- Complicated process of raw material collection
- Is not the only sustainable fuel solution (competition comes from hydrogen technology)
- Uses conventional jet fuel in the end product
Lets talk about efforts in Mexico
At the moment the use of SAF is limited in Mexico. Despite the abundance of natural resources that could be used to create sustainable aviation fuels, the country lacks the regulation and infrastructure to support this industry. However air carriers such as Viva Aerobus, Aeromexico, and Volaris have all operated SAF flights. Viva Aerobus was the first in June 2022 when it partnered with Neste to operate a SAF flight between Los Angeles International Airport and Guadalajara International Airport. As per sources the fuel distribution was 35% SAF and 65% regular fuel. Around the same time, Aeromexico also operated a flight employing SAF, covering the route between LAX and Mexico City International Airport.
Volaris operated its first flight with (SAF) upon receiving the 114th aircraft of its fleet (Airbus A320neo) on 29.08.2022 and flew 2,700 kilometers from Hamburg to Reykjavik. During the flight, Volaris employed SAF with its latest generation engines, Pratt & Whitney PW1000. Such journey achieved almost 20% less polluting emissions compared to the use of fossil fuels and previous generation engines.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines and DG Fuels signed an agreement on deliveries of 385 million gallons on SAF with deliveries expected to begin at the end of 2027. As per agreement DG Fuels will supply 55 million gallons of SAF annually for the period of 7 years. Also, airline previously signed agreement with Gevo that will delivery 75 million gallons of SAF annually for seven years starting in 2026. Delta Airlines makes this initiative as many other airlines with the goal to replace 10% of jet fuel with SAF by 2030.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is using SAF PROVIDED by Neste and is planning to replace 10% if total fuel consumption with SAF by 2030. Southwest Airlines brings SAF at their daily operation from Oakland Airport as it is a largest carrier in the airport and OAK is the largest operations hub for Southwest in California.
IAG
As a part of the commitment to bring aviation industry to net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, IAG who owns Aer Lingus, Iberia, British Airways, Vueling, Level purchased 26 million gallons to use on their flights from San Francisco. The SAF will be supplied by Aemetis for a period of 7 years, beginning in 2025. Smaller agreement for 2 million gallons was signed with Gevo and IAG is planning to invest around $400 million into development of SAF over the next 20 years.
Aegean
Greek Flag carrier is adopting the use of sustainable fuels in collaboration with Hellenic Petroleum using SAF produced by Neste for their flight from Athens International Airport. At the moment Aegean is the only Greek carrier that uses SAF to power their flights.
Alaska Airlines
With Ever green SAF Advancement Program, Alaska Airlines shows their commitment to the cleaner and carbon neutral future. New program is focused on education, expansion of SAF usage and new collaborations to tackle travel emissions. Airline launched programme with Microsoft in 2020 to focus on Business Travel emissions. In august 2022, carrier finalised a deal for 185 million gallons of SAF with Gevo. Main corporate partners of the programme are Boeing, Washington State University, Deloitte and Microsoft.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa Group has been involved in SAF research for many years, building extensive network of partnerships and driving forward introduction of sustainable aviation fuels. The biggest European carrier also ordered 1.8 million tons of SAF from shell in august 2022. There are 2 technologies that group is particularly focused about, power to liquid and sun to liquid. Both these technologies are using electricity which is made from renewable energy to manufacture synthetic crude oil that can later be processed into kerosine.
Other airlines that invested in SAF are: Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Finnair, Interjet, AeroMexico, Iberia, Thompson Airways, Air France, Air China, Thai Airlines, Etihad, Air Canada, KLM, GOL and others.
For policies, goals and additional information please check the link to ICAO environmental protection website. https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/pages/SAF.aspx