Virgin Atlantic marked a historic achievement this week by successfully operating the first transatlantic flight powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), specifically derived from cooking oil. The momentous journey spanned from London’s Heathrow to New York’s JFK airport and was executed aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Notable figures such as Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper, and Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss were among the passengers, underscoring the significance of this milestone.
The flight, which notably did not charge fares, carried a sense of pioneering spirit and innovation. Sir Richard Branson expressed his delight, stating, “The world will always assume something can’t be done until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit.”
Virgin Atlantic has a longstanding history of challenging the aviation status quo since its inception in 1984. Branson emphasized the airline’s commitment to pushing the industry to never settle and strive for continuous improvement. The transatlantic flight powered by 100% SAF serves as a testament to this commitment and aligns with the broader goal of fostering a sustainable aviation industry.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper highlighted the potential impact of SAF on decarbonizing transport, both in the present and the future. He emphasized that the flight showcased how SAF could cut lifecycle emissions by a substantial 70%, providing inspiration for the development of next-generation solutions. Harper stated, “This Government has backed today’s flight to take off, and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy, and gets us to jet zero.”
Addressing concerns about the environmental impact of flights, Harper responded, stating that the government aims to enable people to continue flying but in a manner that aligns with environmental provisions. This reflects a delicate balance between meeting the demand for air travel and ensuring responsible environmental practices.
Prior to the flight, the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) conducted a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of Virgin Atlantic’s plan. The analysis included ground testing with an engine running on 100% SAF. CAA chief executive Rob Bishton emphasized the importance of safely enabling the aviation industry to embrace more sustainable practices while maintaining a focus on safety. He stated, “Innovation and sustainability are vital areas of work, but they must go hand in hand with safety. This is a reminder that together we can drive change, reduce emissions, and make the skies greener for generations to come.”
SAF, derived from sustainable sources such as agricultural waste and used cooking oil, is regarded as crucial in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon emissions. Despite its positive environmental impact, SAF is currently more expensive to produce than conventional jet fuel and constitutes only about 0.1% of aviation fuel used globally. However, its production involves using about 70% less carbon, making it a key focus for the industry’s sustainable future.
Virgin Atlantic received support from the government in the form of up to £1 million in December of the previous year to plan and operate the SAF-powered flight. This financial backing emphasizes the government’s commitment to encouraging and showcasing the effectiveness of SAF as a viable alternative in the aviation sector.
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Notably, this achievement follows a similar milestone by American company Gulfstream Aerospace, which operated the first transatlantic flight powered by 100% SAF using a business jet earlier in the same month. These instances underscore a global effort to explore and implement sustainable practices in aviation, with a focus on reducing the industry’s carbon footprint. Virgin Atlantic’s pioneering journey serves as a beacon for the potential of SAF to revolutionize air travel and contribute to a greener and more sustainable aviation industry.
Source: The guardian
