One-third of Ryanair’s flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will now be run off a 40% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend.
Ryanair partners with Neste
Ryanair announced a new partnership with SAF provider Neste today and has agreed to use a 40% SAF blend on some of their flights from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. The fuel, produced from waste and residue raw materials, produces 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional aviation fuel.
Neste is the world’s largest renewable diesel and sustainable producer of aviation fuel. In addition to Ryanair, they provide SAF for American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue Airways. Neste’s Vice president, Jonathan Wood, said in a statement:
“We’re excited to support Ryanair’s work towards its decarbonisation goals by supplying our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. SAF is a key element in achieving aviation’s emission reduction goals.
Ryanair Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler, concurred, adding that the new partnership would aid Ryanair in reaching its 2050 emissions goals:
“We are delighted to announce this landmark deal with Neste, which will see Ryanair uplift this new 40% SAF blend. SAF is a cornerstone of our Pathway to Net Zero by 2050 decarbonisation strategy, and this new blend will power a third of Ryanair flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 60%.
More airlines adopting SAF
In the wake of the Russian oil crisis, we’ve seen more airlines and governments making moves towards greener fuel choices. Jonathan Wood says:
“The aviation sector is now at a tipping point as demand increases, and policy proposals are on the table in the EU and UK to promote demand and supply of SAF.”
Last month, British Airways announced they would start using sustainable jet fuel from American multinational Phillips 66, with the hope of running all their flights on a 10% blend by 2030. Ryanair has said they want to operate 12.5% of their flights on SAF by 2030 in an effort to one-up BA. Thomas Fowler says:
“As Europe’s largest airline, we have a responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment,”
In addition to adopting SAF, Ryanair has partnered with Trinity College Dublin to open the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre and invested $22 billion in a new ‘gamechanger’ fleet, which is 16% more fuel and CO2 efficient, whilst providing 4% more seats.
What are your thoughts on Ryanair’s move towards sustainable fuel? Let us know in the comments below!
