First sustainable fuel flight takes off from Gatwick
More than 40 of the flights will run between West Sussex and Glasgow
For the first time, a flight operating on sustainable aviation fuel has taken off from Gatwick Airport this morning (October 19th).
The easyJet service is the first of 42 to be powered by a 30% blend of the fuel, which is made using from 100% renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.
39 of the flights will be used on routes from West Sussex to Glasgow during the COP26 climate change summit, which runs from October 31st to November 12th.
Across all 42 flights CO2 emissions will have been reduced by up to 70 tonnes which further signals the industry’s intentions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a course to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
The makers of the fuel, Neste, say use of the fuel can achieve a reduction of 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, compared to fossil jet fuel use.
In a further move to decarbonise operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, from today, easyJet, in partnership with World Fuel Services, has introduced an electric hydrant dispenser at the airport which will serve its fleet of 71 aircraft at Gatwick.
It is the first in the UK and based on diesel equivalents which are estimated to burn 6630 litres of diesel every year, the new electric hydrant dispenser can reduce 18,000 kgs of CO2 emissions annually.
The electric hydrant dispenser adds to the electric ground services equipment already supporting easyJet aircraft operations at Gatwick Airport.
Tim Norwood, Director of Corporate Affairs, Planning and Sustainability of Gatwick Airport said:
“We are pleased to work with our partners to be the first airport in the VINCI Airport network to introduce SAF on a commercial flight and prove the concept that Gatwick is ready and able to operationally utilise SAF.
"SAF is one of several ways that UK aviation and Gatwick will reach net zero carbon by 2050, alongside carbon offsets, airspace modernisation and continued innovation in aerospace technology, including electric, hydrogen and hybrid aircraft systems.
"With smart Government policy to underpin investment in cost competitive UK SAF production, many more flights could be using UK produced SAF by the mid-2020s.”