“ It is really up to our customers to decide ,” says Toby . “ We would love to get to a point where each of our corporate and private members are purchasing 100 % SAF on every flight that they charter . The slider at checkout starts at 5 %. It goes up to 100 %, and so far , those customers who have opted-in have chosen 30 % on average as a replacement .”
How sustainable aviation fuel is made There are currently seven approved ways of production for SAF ( also called pathways ) but the HEFA-pathway ( Hydrotreated Esther and Fatty Acids ) is currently the only commercially viable technology used and the one Neste uses for its SAF .
“ Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from 100 % sustainably sourced , renewable waste and residue raw materials like used cooking oil and animal fat waste ,” says Susanne .
“ Our current estimate is that with the current HEFA pathway , we could replace 10 % of global fossil fuel needs , and enough feedstocks for that are available globally .”
In theory , this all sounds like good news for the environment , but it is also important to remember that we are talking here about reducing CO2 emissions , and that global air traffic is projected to double long before we reach the 2050 deadlines many are aiming for .
“ SAFs can only ever be a net-zero solution – so if we ' re satisfied with net-zero as a global community in fighting climate change , we must be happy with SAFs ,” says Nikhil .
He explains how SAFs are produced by removing carbon from the air in their production process , whether through natural processes for bio-based SAFs , or via manmade processes ( ie . carbon capture ) for Power-to-Liquid ( known as PtL or eFuels ).
However , he says there are two challenges we need to be aware of . Firstly , lifecycle emissions are a challenge . Unfortunately some emissions are produced in the SAF manufacturing process today . Today , SAFs decarbonise up to 50-80 % per litre of fuel used – but this number should be increased . With bio-based SAFs , we will hopefully achieve 80-90 % lifecycle emissions reduction , and PtL may allow 90-100 % in the future .
Secondly , non-CO2 effects are important . “ We must not forget that CO2 is not the only climate force , and SAF-powered aircraft will continue to produce NOX , particulates and contrails , albeit hopefully in lower quantities .”
More airlines and airports using SAF More and more airlines are already using SAF or have committed to its use . Neste ’ s SAF is used by leading commercial airlines in Europe , North America and Asia including Lufthansa , KLM , IAG , Finnair , American Airlines , Alaska Airlines , JetBlue and ANA . It is also available at many major airports , including San Francisco International Airport , Dallas Fort Worth International Airport , Heathrow Airport , Frankfurt Airport , Amsterdam Airport and Narita International Airport .
With Neste expected to boost production significantly in 2023 , the future for SAF looks bright . Current limitations mean only 50 % SAF can be used for flights when mixed with fossil fuel , so is SAF the only solution we should be considering ? Are there alternatives ?
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