Neste, Vitol Aviation enables Heathrow airport to incorporate SAF into operation
Heathrow has effectively incorporated sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its operation, ahead of the G7 Summit.
Working in conjunction with Vitol Aviation and Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™, the fuel which is blended upstream of the airport, will be incorporated into the airport's main fuel supply from 3rd June and made available for use across Heathrow flights over the following days. Whilst the fuel supply may be comparatively small - equivalent to fuel up to 10 short-haul flights - it serves as proof of concept for more flights to be operated using SAF at the UK's hub airport going forward.
Vitol Aviation's expertise in the specialist handling of jet fuel will be combined with Neste's market-leading SAF production capabilities. Neste MY SAF is produced 100 percent from renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, in its neat form and over the life cycle, reduces up to 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use1.
Jonathan Wood, Vice President Europe, Renewable Aviation at Neste said: "We are continuously supporting the aviation industry in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are pleased that Vitol is enabling Neste MY SAF to be used at Heathrow, one of the leading global hub airports. We are also proud to play a role in lower-emission travel to the G7 conference, where sustainability will be one of the key topics."
Leticia Hachuel, Vitol Aviation said: "Sustainability has always been important to us as a supplier and to airlines and their passengers. We are delighted to be the first to deliver sustainable aviation fuel to Heathrow. Whilst this is proof of concept, it demonstrates how lower-emission options for flying are achievable. We are looking at how we can use our expertise to offer more sustainable options."
Heathrow Chief Executive Officer, John Holland-Kaye said: "We are delighted that Heathrow is the first UK major airport to successfully incorporate sustainable aviation fuels into its operation. As we get ready to welcome the world to the G7, we can demonstrate how this technology can significantly cut carbon from aviation, whilst protecting its benefits. The UK Government now has an opportunity to create a new British growth industry by backing sustainable aviation fuel production and also be leaders in the race to a net-zero 2050. Now is the time for less talk and more action and Ministers should follow in the examples of countries like the US and set a mandate that requires a minimum of 10% sustainable fuel use by airlines by 2030, rising to at least 50 percent by 2050."
