Etihad Airways has operated the first net-zero transatlantic flight that was powered completely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using Book & Claim system and direct emission reductions in partnership with World Energy. SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel only up to 50%, to address the remaining 50% as well as any residual emissions the only option today is through a Book & Claim system.
Etihad claims that the flight from Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi reduced CO2 emissions by 250 metric tonnes by displacing approximately 26,000 gallons of petroleum-based jet fuel using net-zero equivalent gallons of World Energy's SAF at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Mariam Alqubaisi, Head of Sustainability & Business Excellence, Etihad Airways, said: "This flight has proved Book & Claim is the only feasible path to net-zero commercial aviation using current technology and is the transition framework required until the supply of sustainable aviation fuel reaches its maturity and availability. We are committed to making good our commitment to sustainable aviation, and our Greenliner and Sustainable50 partnership programs continue to test and refine our roadmap to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and halving net emission levels by 2035. Our latest flight further validates our commitment, but equally shines a light on how much further we all need to go."
Gene Gebolys, CEO of World Energy, said: "We are making long-term commitments with leaders to decarbonize transport. Our work with Etihad is strategic and rooted in purpose. It will drive innovation and accountability so we can scale sustainable fuels and make a real and impactful reduction toward effectively decarbonizing aviation."
Laia Barbarà, Lead, of Aviation Decarbonization, World Economic Forum, said: "The Etihad and World Energy net-zero flight is an exciting example of industry action applying concepts from the Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition, like the SAF certificate (SAFc) program. SAF makes net-zero aviation possible today, flying on sustainable aviation fuels."
In addition, the flight used contrail-reducing technology supplied by UK-based green aerospace company SATAVIA. Aircraft contrails cause surface warming responsible for up to 60% of aviation's overall climate footprint.
The flight achieved Etihad and World Energy's objective to demonstrate that net-zero aviation is possible using SAF Book & Claim and government subsidies as well as other financial offsets, as a stopgap solution until the supply, cost, and global infrastructure for SAF delivery is available.