The French-based aircraft manufacturer has successfully conducted a series of ground and flight tests using 100% sustainable aviation fuel – SAF – in one of the two engines of an ATR 72-600.
The fuel used for the tests was Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, from the oil company Neste, which emits up to 80% less carbon dioxide into the environment and is produced from 100% renewable and residual raw materials such as used cooking oil.
ATR’s work is aimed at certifying its aircraft to operate with 100% sustainable aviation fuel. Currently it is only possible to use up to 50% of SAF mixed with conventional fossil fuels, but the trend points to the possibility of flights completely powered by sustainable fuel in the short term.
The French-Italian company said in a statement that “sustainable aviation fuels are a key pillar of the aviation industry’s decarbonization strategy, with an immediate impact on reducing CO2 emissions. An ATR flying a typical regional route with 100% SAF on both engines is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 82%.”
Stefano Bortoli, CEO of ATR, stated that “as a regional market leader, our goal is to lead the shift towards decarbonization. ATR turboprops, which already emit 40% less CO2 than regional aircraft of similar size, are the ideal platform to deliver significant advances in reducing CO2 emissions. Achieving this major milestone demonstrates that we are fully committed to enabling 100% use of SAF and helping our customers meet their goals to provide even more sustainable air links, not in 2035 or 2050, but for years to come.”
SAF is one of aviation’s major bets to decarbonize operations in the near term. While it is not a definitive solution, it is the technology that can be most quickly adapted to the industry, since it requires no modifications to either aircraft or fuel distribution infrastructure.
