Emirates operates world’s first 100% SAF-powered A380 flight: UAE national air carrier Emirates has completed the world’s first sustainable aviation fuel-powered demonstration flight for the Airbus A380 wide-body aircraft, according to a statement released last week. One of the plane’s four engines was entirely fuelled by the alternative fuel, the statement notes.

More details: Emirates collaborated with Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) — which plans to supply SAF to Dubai Airports starting 2024 and is currently exploring SAF production both domestically and abroad — and Airbus, Engine Alliance, Pratt & Whitney, Neste, on the testing, technical assessments and data analysis for the demo flight, according to the statement. Enoc and Neste — which recently signed a supply agreement with Emirates for the supply of 3 mn tons of SAF — provided the airline with the green fuels powering the flight.

REMEMBER- SAF can help cut aviation emissions by some 85%, according to the statement. Current certification standards only allow for a maximum 50-50 blend of SAFs and conventional fuel. Back in October, British luxury automaker Rolls-Royce concluded testing of a 100% SAF blend across its latest aircraft offerings Pearl 15 and Pearl 10X models, and found that the alternative fuels did not impact engine performance.

Emirates is going big on SAF: Last month, Emirates signed an agreement with Shell Aviation for a 300k gallon supply of SAF for use at its hub in Dubai International Airport. The agreement will see the first SAF delivery taking place before year’s end, marking the first time SAF will be supplied via the airport’s fuelling system. Earlier this year in January, Emirates completed MENA’s first SAF-powered demonstration flight using 100% SAF.

IN OTHER AVIATION NEWS-Members of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed to reduce CO2 emissions from aviation by 5% by 2030, according to a joint statement (pdf) released on Thursday. SAF and low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) are expected to be the largest contributors towards achieving the goal, the statement notes. An earlier draft statement had tabled a more ambitious 5-8% emissions reduction target, Reuters reported on Friday.

Not everyone was happy with the decision: Saudi Arabia and Iraq were among several countries objecting to the framework’s timeframe and emissions reduction target, while China and Russia also expressed reservations on ICAO’s new framework, citing a negative impact on their economies, Reuters reported.

Is the target feasible? SAF is currently 3x more expensive than traditional fuels, but airlines will not use 100% SAF all at once, meaning that costs will be manageable, ICAO Director of the Air Transport Bureau Mohamed Rahma told Wam last week. Manufacturers have begun unveiling engines adapted to using 100% SAF, which is an encouraging sign, Rahma added.

ALSO- Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation and ICAO to restructure aviation: The Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation signed an agreement with the ICAO to restructure the country’s aviation sector, according to a statement on Sunday. The agreement aims to improve the flexibility and efficiency of the Egyptian airspace in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

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