Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is being made available to airlines at Heathrow.
The SAF will be incorporated into the airport’s main fuel supply and blended to use across flights operating at the London hub over the next few days.
While the fuel supply may be comparatively small – equivalent to fuelling five to ten short haul flights – the commercial delivery will establish proof of concept at the UK’s largest airport.
More than half (58%) of Heathrow airlines by air traffic movements have committed to 10% SAF usage by 2030.
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Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “We are delighted that Heathrow is the first UK major airport to successfully incorporate sustainable aviation fuels into its operation.
“As we get ready to welcome the world to the G7, we can demonstrate how this technology can significantly cut carbon from aviation, whilst protecting its benefits.
“The UK government now has an opportunity to create a new British growth industry by backing sustainable aviation fuel production and also be leaders in the race to a net zero 2050.
“Now is the time for less talk and more action and ministers should set an escalating mandate to blend SAF into fuel and provide incentives that are stable over 5-10 years to foster investment in production, with a target of 10% by 2030 and at least 50% by 2050.”