Emirates begins operating with SAF at London Heathrow Airport

18-05-24

Emirates has taken a significant step towards sustainability by starting to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at London Heathrow Airport. The airline has taken delivery of more than 3,000 metric tonnes of pure SAF from Shell Aviation, blended with conventional jet fuel, which will be supplied to the airport's refuelling infrastructure network until the end of summer 2024.

This initiative marks the first time Emirates has used PBS to fuel some of its flights at London Heathrow, representing the largest volume of PBS purchased by the airline to date. Emirates has joined London Heathrow's SAF Incentive Programme, designed to make SAF more affordable and accessible to airlines operating at the airport.

In its pure form, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. This breakthrough is part of Emirates' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and support the transition to cleaner energy in the aviation industry.

Launched in 2022, the London Heathrow SAF Incentive is the first scheme of its kind to provide a support mechanism to reduce the price gap between conventional and SAF fuel by approximately 50%. This programme aims to accelerate supportive government policies and increase the UK's competitiveness by encouraging investments in clean energy such as the production of SAF.

In addition to London, Emirates operates flights from Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon and Oslo using PBS. Last year, the airline collaborated with Shell Aviation to supply UFAS at Dubai airport for the first time. In May this year, Emirates plans to work with local partners at Singapore's Changi Airport to supply SAF through the airport's refuelling systems.

Earlier this year, Emirates became the first international airline to join the Solent Cluster in the UK. This initiative focuses on low-carbon investments and has the potential to create a UFAS production facility that could generate up to 200,000 tonnes per year by 2032. The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration that includes manufacturers, engineering companies, logistics and infrastructure operators, and academic institutions.

Emirates' adoption of SAF at London Heathrow is an important step towards a more sustainable future in aviation. With the ability to significantly reduce carbon emissions and the support of initiatives such as the Heathrow SAF Incentive and the Solent Cluster, Emirates is leading the way in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy in the industry.