New aircraft fuelling infrastructure installed at Cranfield Airport

New fuel storage and aircraft fuelling infrastructure has been installed at Cranfield Airport, making available a reliable store of sustainable aviation fuel to the FAAM Airborne Laboratory’s research aircraft at its home base. “A local supply of sustainable aviation fuel is an important step toward UKRI’s net zero commitment,” comments Alan Woolley, Head of the FAAM Airborne Laboratory. He continues: “Much of our research focuses on air pollution and climate change, and as we move toward a low-carbon future the ways in which we study these topics need to change. Using SAF is one approach to minimising the FAAM aircraft’s environmental impact while maintaining its research capabilities.” The installation was supported by UK Research and Innovation, who own the FAAM Airborne Laboratory research aircraft, as part of their drive to reduce the facility’s carbon emissions. Rob Abbott, Airport Director of Cranfield Airport added: “We’re delighted to be offering SAF as a refuelling option at Cranfield Airport. It’s a major step forward in reducing our environmental footprint and builds on existing work to decarbonise airport operations. Cranfield has a proud track record in supporting net zero innovations including supporting the world’s first hydrogen-electric passenger aircraft flight and the first ever cross-Channel hybrid electric flight. Providing SAF at the airport is another step forward for net zero aviation ambitions.” The new installation, which has a capacity of 40,000 litres, will make it possible for the FAAM Airborne Laboratory to operate on sustainable aviation fuel for all domestic flights that depart from its home base of Cranfield Airport.