TAP Air Portugal has operated its first flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), marking the beginning of a partnership between the airline, fuel provider and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal.
The flight departed on July 22 and flew from Lisbon to Ponta Delgada in an airbus A321neo.
The airline said its partnership with the airport and Lisbon-based energy company Galp “heralds the start of a new aviation era in Portugal”, and is in line with the European framework on mandatory incorporation of SAF in aviation.
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TAP Air Chief executive Christine Ourmières-Widener said the partnership marks an “important step forward” in the airline’s sustainability plan.
“Since 2018, TAP has been renewing its fleet, integrating more energy-efficient aircraft,” she said. “Neo aircrafts have high efficiency engines and improved aerodynamics that reduce fuel consumption and CO emissions by 20%.
“Aviation faces a considerable challenge that can only be overcome by taking steps such as this, which promotes the production of sustainable fuels in sufficient quantities at competitive prices so we can continue moving forward in the green transition of the aviation sector.
“This can only happen if we work together and that is why it is so important that the step is being taken by TAP, Gla and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal.
“For all three companies, developing SAF is a priority for moving towards an increasingly low carbon industry, knowing that achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require a range of solutions – including electrification, hydrogen solutions and SAF – working in combination.”