Just like the car business, the commercial aerospace industry is also striving to become more sustainable. However, achieving sustainability for planes is not as simple as charging a Tesla at home. Planes require more power than today's batteries can provide, as well as a sustainable alternative that is cost-competitive with traditional jet fuel.

Nevertheless, significant progress is being made. In a groundbreaking move, Virgin Atlantic recently announced the world's first transatlantic flight from London's Heathrow Airport to New York's JFK using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to power the aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss emphasizes, "Flight100 proves that Sustainable Aviation Fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it's the only viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation."

This remarkable flight utilized a combination of two sustainable fuel components, namely HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) and SAK (Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene). HEFA and SAK refer to the process of transforming vegetable oils or waste oils into an eco-friendly equivalent of traditional jet fuel. Importantly, SAF acts as a direct replacement for conventional fuel, demonstrating similar performance in aircraft engines.

The increasing adoption of SAF plays a pivotal role in the global commercial aerospace industry's commitment to reducing carbon emissions. Burning carbon-based fuels releases carbon dioxide, the primary gas responsible for global climate change. However, when SAF is burned, it releases carbon dioxide that originates from plants. These plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, creating a more sustainable cycle.

As the industry continues to invest in research and development, the future of sustainable aviation fuel looks promising. With a focus on finding alternatives to conventional jet fuel, aerospace companies are actively contributing to a greener and more environmentally friendly future for air travel.

The Path to Sustainable Aviation: Investing in SAF

The aviation industry is increasingly turning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as a solution to reduce its carbon footprint. However, there are significant hurdles that need to be overcome in order to fully embrace SAF at scale.

Capacity Challenge

A pressing issue hindering the widespread adoption of SAF is the limited industry capacity. Currently, there is simply not enough SAF available. To address this challenge, it is imperative to attract substantial investments. Weiss, an industry expert, emphasizes that increasing production will require regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms with government backing.

Cost Considerations

Another crucial factor to bear in mind is the cost of SAF. Presently, SAF can cost up to $10 per gallon, while traditional jet fuel hovers around $6 per gallon. It's worth noting that the price of jet fuel fluctuates with oil prices, whereas the cost of SAF is influenced by the demand for its feedstocks and advancements in SAF-making technology.

Virgin Atlantic: Leading the Way

Virgin Atlantic, under the leadership of billionaire Richard Branson, has long been a pioneer in challenging the aviation industry's status quo. Branson expresses his pride in joining the Flight100 initiative, a collaborative effort between Virgin Atlantic, its partners, and aviation professionals, striving to pave the way for the decarbonization of long-haul flights.

Addressing Carbon Footprint

Commercial aviation accounted for approximately 2% of the 37 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency. As a result, most airlines and aviation stakeholders have set goals to achieve decarbonization by 2050.

In conclusion, while SAF presents a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector, the industry faces challenges related to capacity and cost. Nevertheless, through increased investment and support from governments worldwide, we can drive the necessary changes to make sustainable aviation a reality.