SAF makes Gatwick debut

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has been introduced at London Gatwick Airport as part of a collaboration between Q8Aviation, easyJet, Gatwick and Neste.

The sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend will be used on all easyJet flights operating to Glasgow throughout the COP26 Climate Change Conference, which runs from October 31 to November 12. EasyJet has also introduced an electric hydrant dispenser to its Gatwick operations. Supplied by World Fuel Services, it is the first in the UK.

A total of 42 easyJet flights operating from Gatwick Airport are to be powered by a 30% Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel blend. This milestone marks the first time a flight departing from Gatwick has used SAF and is also the first usage by any easyJet service from the UK.

Tim Norwood, director of corporate affairs, planning and sustainability at Gatwick, said: “We are pleased to work with our partners to be the first airport in the Vinci Airport network to introduce SAF on a commercial flight and prove that Gatwick is ready and able to utilise SAF. 

“SAF is one of several ways that UK aviation and Gatwick will reach net zero carbon by 2050, alongside carbon offsets, airspace modernisation and continued innovation in aerospace technology, including electric, hydrogen and hybrid aircraft systems. With smart government policy to underpin investment in cost competitive UK SAF production, many more flights could be using UK-produced SAF by the mid-2020s.”

Q8Aviation delivered the first supply of Neste MY SAF, produced from 100% renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. In its neat form and over its life cycle, Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel can achieve a reduction of up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel.