An RAF Voyager aircraft powered by 43% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was refuelled in mid-air by Typhoon jets as part of the UK government's launch of a "net zero carbon roadmap for commercial aviation".
The aircraft flew from the Brize Norton airbase over the North Sea, before heading back via Farnborough, where the Sustainable Skies World Summit 2023 is being held on April 17 and 18.
"Greater use of alternative and sustainable fuel can only lead to positive outcomes for defence, the United Kingdom, and our collective endeavour against climate change," said the UK's defence minister, Baroness Goldie.
The SAF used was made in part from cooking oil, which was blended with "traditional fossil fuels", according to a Ministry of Defence statement.
"SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel and will be key to reducing the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains and fossil fuels, while improving operational resilience", the ministry added, describing the refuelling as a "significant moment" that came after "a series of recent milestones achieved by the RAF towards a sustainable aviation future, including the world first RAF Voyager flight fuelled by 100% SAF".
"The continued success of sustainable aviation fuel is reassuring to see. If we are to achieve our net zero goal by 2040 then exploiting these technologies is going to be an enormous but worthwhile endeavour," said air vice-marshal Paul Lloyd, the RAF's chief of staff support and chief engineer, speaking at the Farnborough event.