Airline Jet2.com will use a blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Stansted Airport this year.
The UK’s third largest carrier has purchased approximately 650 tonnes of SAF from Shell Aviation.
It will be used to add a 1% SAF blend to several departing flights from Stansted this year. When used in its neat form, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Last month Jet2.com confirmed it would also be using an SAF blend at Bristol Airport in 2024.
That means the airline is ahead of the Government’s SAF mandate, which will be introduced on January 1, 2025, which includes a target that at least 10% of jet fuel should be made from SAF by 2030.
Chief executive of the carrier and Jet2holidays Steve Heapy said: “Today’s announcement further demonstrates the tangible actions that we are taking to mitigate our climate impacts, and it means will be using a SAF blend from London Stansted in 2024, in addition to Bristol Airport.
“We see SAF as critical in helping the industry decarbonise and as well as doing this, we can use this to ensure our operations are ready for SAF uptake both now and in the future, when we anticipate its use will grow materially. We very much see 1% as the starting point and we want to grow this over the coming years.”
SAF is recognised as a way to decarbonise aviation in the short to medium term. The House of Commons Transport Select Committee said: “SAF are the most viable option for the immediate reduction of aviation emissions.”]
Jet2 plc has also invested in a new SAF production plant to be constructed in the North West of England.
The company is set to receive more than 200 million litres of SAF from the Fulcrum NorthPoint facility, which will also generate up to 1,500 jobs.
The initiative is part of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ net zero by 2050 plans, in line with Government targets.
It also expects to buy 110 firm Airbus A320/A321 neo aircraft which will also reduce emissions.
He added: “Today’s announcement, in addition to our investment into a new SAF plant in the North West of England, shows how committed we are to SAF and how much we believe in unlocking its huge potential.
“Unfortunately, there is still some way to go and without more supplies of UK SAF and greater support to incentivise its uptake and reduce its cost, our industry and UK holidaymakers are at a disadvantage.
“The UK Government must implement the price revenue mechanism earlier than the current timeline of 2026 which means we can secure investor confidence, build the UK SAF plants that we need, and turbocharge the UK SAF industry.”
Neil Robinson, MAG’s corporate social responsibility and future airspace director said: “Today’s announcement by Jet2.com is really excellent news given the vital role SAF will play in taking carbon out of the aviation industry.
“Our focus at London Stansted is to continue driving forward on our commitment to reach net zero carbon operations by 2038 and supporting the development of more sustainable aviation fuel to help aviation reach net zero by 2050.
“Jet2.com’s introduction of SAF at Stansted is another positive development in driving down carbon emissions and we look forward to working with them to build on this great start.”