El Al Israel Airlines celebrated its first flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with the arrival of its 16th Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The aircraft landed in Tel Aviv on July 31 after a direct flight from the Boeing factory in Seattle.
The journey marked the first time that Israel’s flag carrier had used SAF, which represented 30% of the aircraft’s total fuel.
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El Al chief executive Dina Ben Tal Ganancia said: “The historic arrival of our first jet using SAF marks another important milestone in our strategic plan – expanding and renewing our fleet and strengthening our commitment to sustainability.”
The latest Dreamliner is the fourth 787-8 in El Al’s fleet, with the airline also operating a dozen 787-9 aircraft.
The new arrival was celebrated with a water salute ceremony attended by guests including Ben Tal Ganancia, Nof HaGalil mayor Ronen Plot and Boeing Israel president Ido Nehushtan.
In June, El Al signed up to Iata’s environmental assessment programme which surveys airlines’ commitment to improving their environmental and sustainability performance.
Marking the SAF-powered flight, El Al said the achievement “signifies the company’s global leadership in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases”.
Ben Tal Ganancia added: “We are grateful to Boeing for our long-term partnership, which has helped us provide our customers with the safest and most enjoyable travel experience.”
Photo: El Al chief executive Dina Ben Tal Ganancia with Nof HaGalil mayor Ronen Plot