Emirates Begins SAF Operations At London Heathrow
Carrier To Accept 3,000 Tons Of SAF
Emirates has taken a significant step towards a greener future by initiating operations with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at London Heathrow Airport.
Facilitated through the London Heathrow SAF Incentive Programme and in collaboration with Shell Aviation, Emirates will receive over 3,000 metric tonnes of neat SAF blended with conventional jet fuel for some of the carrier’s flights at Heathrow until the end of summer 2024.
This procurement represents Emirates’ largest SAF purchase to date.
The London Heathrow SAF Incentive Programme aims to make SAF more accessible and affordable for airlines operating at the airport. Under the programme, Emirates will monitor and trace the delivery of SAF to it at London Heathrow, ensuring its sustainability attributes through robust reporting methodologies.
Heathrow’s Chief Commercial Officer Ross Baker has commended the SAF initiative and praised Emirates’ commitment to utilising SAF, which is crucial for reducing carbon emissions on long-haul flights.
When fully implemented, the SAF initiative at London Heathrow Airport has the potential to dramatically reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, offering a beacon of hope for a more sustainable aviation industry.
Potential Benefits
Baker stressed the need for increased UK SAF production, outlining such an endeavour’s potential economic and environmental benefits.
Shell Aviation’s SAF will integrate into airport fuelling infrastructure and aircraft jet engines.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates, highlighted the significance of the SAF market’s increasing momentum and initiatives like the London Heathrow Incentive Programme in making SAF commercially viable for airlines.
Raman Ojha, President of Shell Aviation, underlined the collaboration between Emirates and Shell Aviation to decarbonise flights. This partnership, which builds upon the one signed in Dubai in 2023, is a testament to the global progression in SAF supply networks. It aims to extend the availability of SAF to numerous locations worldwide, fostering a sense of optimism about the future of sustainable aviation.
London Heathrow’s SAF Incentive, launched in 2022, stands as a pioneering scheme to bridge the price gap between conventional jet fuel and SAF, thereby incentivising its usage.
Such initiatives align with broader objectives to accelerate clean energy investments, such as SAF production, fostering competitiveness and sustainability within the UK aviation sector.
SAF Strategy
Emirates’ SAF strategy encompasses operational integration wherever feasible across its network, collaborative ventures with partners, and support for SAF initiatives, including those in the UAE.
The airline has already initiated SAF operations in select locations such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Dubai.
Furthermore, Emirates’ involvement in the Solent Cluster initiative underscores its commitment to long-term sustainability. The initiative plans to build a SAF plant capable of producing significant volumes annually by 2032.
Emirates, a longstanding operator in the UK since 1987, has served seven gateways with an extensive flight network, reinforcing its dedication to sustainable practices amidst its operational expansion.
As the aviation industry continues to navigate environmental challenges, initiatives like Emirates’ adoption of SAF at London Heathrow represent tangible steps toward a greener future, fostering collaboration and innovation to mitigate carbon emissions within the sector.
Featured image: Shell Aviation is committed to supplying Emirates with SAF deliveries at London Heathrow Airport. Credit: Emirates
