The IAG Group airline announced that, as agreed with the British refinery, it will operate a series of flights using sustainable jet fuel, which emits up to 80% less CO2 than conventional fuels.
The PBS manufactured by the Phillps 66 Humber refinery is produced from sustainable waste feedstock, such as waste gases, agricultural and forestry residues, household and commercial waste, and cooking oil. British Airways will integrate it into the existing pipeline infrastructure that directly feeds several UK airports, including London-Heathrow.»
While sustainable aviation fuel does not eliminate emissions from airline operations, it is currently one of the fastest technologies to incorporate, as it requires no modifications to aircraft or airport infrastructure.
According to the company, the fuel produced will help reduce the company’s emissions by 100,000 tons, which represents around 700 flights between London and New York operated with its Boeing 787 aircraft, one of the most fuel-efficient models in its fleet.
This initiative is part of the BA Better World sustainability plan, which the company launched last year with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of its business.
See also: British Airways launches new sustainability program
Sean Doyle, chairman and chief executive of British Airways, said that «being the first airline to source sustainable jet fuel produced on a commercial scale in the UK is another defining moment for us and the airline industry.»
It also added that «our SAF supplies from Phillips 66 Limited will enable us to progress our ambitious roadmap to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner, and will play a part in our commitment, as part of the International Airlines Group (IAG), to drive 10% SAF flights by 2030.»
In the statement, British Airways also assured that the IAG group will invest more than $400 million over the next 20 years to promote the development and production of large-scale UAS.
Darren Cunningham, UK managing director and CEO of the Humber Refinery, said, «Phillips 66 Humber Refinery is proud to supply British Airways with sustainable aviation fuel. We were the first in the UK to co-process waste oils to produce renewable fuels and now we will be the first to produce SAF at scale. We are currently refining almost half a million liters of sustainable residual feedstock a day, and this is just the beginning.»
«The strategic collaboration and supply agreement confirms both companies’ commitment to a lower-carbon future. The production of SAF is just one of a number of decarbonization projects we are currently progressing, and we are excited about the role we play in supplying the UK with the fuels it needs, both now and in the future,» he stressed.
The British airline also launched an initiative to engage its customers in the fight against climate change. From now on, British Airways passengers will be able to support carbon offsetting programs. Passengers on short-haul European flights will be able to pay £2.50, which represents the emissions offset of an average round-trip flight in Europe.
