Share this @internewscast.com

LONDON — The first transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel departed London for New York on Tuesday as the industry seeks to prove the viability of greener air travel.

Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787 is burning a blend of 88% waste fats supplied by AirBP, and 12% Synthetic Aromatic Kerosene made from plant sugars.

Test flight VIR100, which is not carrying paying passengers, departed London Heathrow for New York JFK at 11:49 a.m. U.K. time (6:49 a.m. ET), according to Flightradar24 data. It is due to land shortly before 2 p.m. ET.

Sustainable aviation fuel — also known as SAF — is an umbrella term for non-fossil-derived fuels, including biofuels derived from plant or animal materials, municipal waste and agricultural residues.

It still produces emissions, but proponents argue the overall “lifecycle emissions” from the fuel are significantly lower than from regular petroleum-based fuel.

Other airlines have used SAF on commercial flights, although generally on shorter journeys and in up-to-50% blends with regular fuel, which was previously the regulatory limit. Tuesday’s Virgin Atlantic flight was approved by the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority earlier this month.

A group of 60 companies across the airline, transport and cargo industries pledged in 2021 to reach 10% SAF use for global jet aviation fuel supply by 2030.

An advantage of SAF is that it can be run in existing aircraft engines with no adaptions. A number of airlines have pledged to make investments into increasing use of the fuel as they seek to cut overall flying emissions, including through the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft.

However, numerous challenges remain to its widespread adoption, not least supply shortages, higher costs, and concern over the sustainability of its generation.

There are relatively few SAF production plants or companies transporting it globally, with incentives for producers hampered by low margins.

The U.K.’s Royal Society cautioned in a report earlier this year that only some biofuels could be described as net low-carbon, and that the availability of feedstock was a challenge to scale.

Some groups argue that higher production of biofuels risks worsening deforestation and food scarcity, and say reducing the number of flights taken is the only way to cut aviation’s environmental impact, which contributes to around 2% of manmade CO2 emissions.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said the flight would show SAF “can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long haul aviation.”

“There’s simply not enough SAF and it’s clear that in order to reach production at scale, we need to see significantly more investment. This will only happen when regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms, backed by Government, are in place,” he added.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Jacksonville Heart Walk raises over $1.1M for heart health

Jacksonville Heart Walk Generates More Than $1.1 Million for Cardiac Wellness

Thousands gathered at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds for the annual event, raising over…
Daylight saving time: When do clocks fall back in 2025?

When Do We Set the Clocks Back in 2025 for Daylight Saving Time?

The twice-a-year time change for most U.S. states is coming up in…
Iryna Zarutska: 911 calls released in deadly Charlotte light rail stabbing

Iryna Zarutska: 911 Recordings Made Public Following Fatal Stabbing on Charlotte Light Rail

Newly released 911 calls detail the chaotic moments after Ukrainian refugee Iryna…
Mike Waltz sees Trump's Gaza plan as 'once-in-a-generation opportunity for peace'

Mike Waltz views Trump’s Gaza proposal as a ‘unique opportunity for peace in a generation’

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that President Donald…
Israel’s army will 'advance readiness' for first phase of Trump plan to release hostages

Israel Military to “Boost Preparedness” for Initial Stage of Trump’s Hostage Release Plan

Israel’s military announced Saturday it will “advance readiness for the implementation of…
Newly released 911 transcripts capture chaos, fear during Minneapolis church shooting: ‘Stay down, stay quiet'

Recently Published 911 Transcripts Reveal Panic and Fear During Minneapolis Church Shooting: ‘Stay Down, Stay Quiet’

The recently unveiled 911 transcripts shed light on the panic and distress…
Judge blocks Trump policy to detain migrant children turning 18 in adult facilities

Judge Halts Trump’s Policy of Holding 18-Year-Old Migrant Children in Adult Detention Facilities

A federal judge has temporarily halted a new policy from the Trump…
Alzheimer's walk Chicago: Thousands to participate in annual Walk to End Alzheimer's disease in Lincoln Park

Thousands Set to Join Annual Alzheimer’s Walk in Lincoln Park, Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — Thousands of people are coming together in Chicago’s Lincoln…
Lauren Graham receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Lauren Graham Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The show celebrates its 25th anniversary Sunday. LOS ANGELES — A mini…

Tragic Shooting Near Houston Suburb Results in Death of Two Children, Two More Critically Injured

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — In a heartbreaking incident early Saturday near Angleton,…
Donald Trump administration seeking to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members amid Chicago ICE raids: Gov. JB Pritzker

Governor JB Pritzker reports that the Trump administration plans to deploy 300 Illinois National Guard members to support ICE operations in Chicago.

CHICAGO (WLS) — The Trump administration plans to federalize 300 Illinois National…
Gaza War: IDF Prepares to Capture Gaza City - Part 1

Conflict in Gaza: Israeli Military Gears Up to Seize Gaza City – Part 2

This column continues from yesterday’s piece, which offered background details on the…