Emirates has strengthened its partnership with Finnish energy firm Neste for sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. Between 2024 and 2025, the energy firm will supply the Dubai-based airline with 3 million gallons of blended MySaf Aviation Fuel. Emirates flights departing Singapore Changi and Amsterdam Schiphol airports will be powered by blended SAF.
MYSAF Aviation Fuel
Neste’s MYSAF Aviation Fuel is designed as a direct replacement to A1 Jet Fuel, the current industry standard. The firm largely converts used cooking oil and animal fat to a “drop-in” replacement for conventional fuel. Due to the chemical similarities between A1 jet fuel and MySAF, the two can be blended together.
The Finnish energy firm has a production capacity of 1 million tons of SAF annually but expects this to increase by 50% at the beginning of next year. Over its life cycle, the firm’s SAF pledges to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the Middle East
Earlier this month, The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, announced it had received International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) to produce SAF. Notably, this is the first energy company in the region to do so. Like Neste, the firm uses waste cooking oil feedstock to produce SAF as a “drop-in” to conventional jet fuel.
Internationally, other airlines follow suit in investing in SAF. In July of this year, AirChina made history by flying the first commercial flight powered by blended SAF. 10% of the fuel used in the journey from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to Beijing Airport was SAF processed by Chinese Gas and Petroleum Company Sinopec. Like ADNOC, the Zhenhai refinery uses cooking oil to transform into jet fuel.
Research into SAF continues to expand. Air New Zealand has announced an investment of $2 million into research alongside the New Zealand government. Similarly, Irish carrier Ryanair has partnered with Trinity College Dublin to open the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre at the university. However, it remains questionable as to if the favoured feedstock, used cooking oil, will be able to meet this rising demand.
Which airline do you expect to purchase SAF next in the race to Carbon Neutrality?
