Emirates has become the world’s first airline to operate an A380 with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which powered one of the aircraft’s four engines during a demonstration flight from Dubai International Airport.
The flight marks the first time SAF has been used on the type, with Emirates expecting ‘full compatibility across the aircraft’s existing systems’ (based on prior technical analysis and testing from Airbus, Engine Alliance, Pratt & Whitney, Neste and ENOC).
“Emirates is the first passenger airline in the world to operate an A380 with 100% drop-in SAF powering one of four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines” highlighted Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ chief operating officer. “This marks another significant step in validating the use of SAF in one of the engines of the A380”.
The flight carried four tonnes of SAF, comprised of HEFA-SPK provided by Neste (hydro processed esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffinic kerosene) and HDO-SAK from Virent (hydro deoxygenated synthetic aromatic kerosene). ENOC helped to secure the neat SAF comprised of HEFA-SPK, and blended it with Sustainable Aviation Kerosene (SAK) at its facility in Dubai International Airport ahead of the demonstration.
Airbus intends to make all its aircraft 100% SAF-capable by 2030. “Through our partnership with Emirates, we’re matching ambition with action,” noted Julie Kitcher, Airbus executive vice president communications and corporate affairs.