Emirates Commences Use Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel In Singapore

Emirates has initiated the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its operations, marking a significant step in its environmental strategy. The airline has partnered with Neste to incorporate SAF into flights departing from Singapore Changi Airport. This collaboration represents Emirates' first SAF investment in Asia.

According to Emirates, approximately 3.3 million litres of blended SAF have been integrated into Changi Airport's fuelling system over the past few weeks. The airline is meticulously tracking the delivery and environmental benefits of SAF through widely accepted industry methodologies.

Earlier this year, Emirates worked closely with Neste to supply 2.6 million litres of neat SAF to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport's fuelling systems. The SAF provided by Neste is produced from sustainably sourced and 100% renewable waste materials, including used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

SAF can be safely used in existing Emirates aircraft and airport fuelling infrastructure. In its neat form, it reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Statements from Key Executives

Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates, commented on the initiative: "Emirates' investment into Neste-produced SAF in Singapore marks a first step forward in our SAF adoption in Asia, a region that is primed to become a leading supplier of SAF, which continues to be in short supply."

He added, "While the activation of this agreement marks a milestone in our SAF journey in a new region, there's still a lot of work to do. And as we procure SAF for the short term, we've got our sights set on longer-term agreements to help scale up a steady supply of SAF for our operations."

Alexander Kueper, Vice President of Renewable Aviation Business at Neste, stated, "This makes Emirates the first international visiting carrier using SAF at the airport produced at our Singapore refinery and supplied into the airport via our integrated supply chain."

Landmark Demonstration Flights

In 2023, Emirates became the first airline globally to operate two landmark demonstration flights from Dubai on the Boeing 777 and A380 with 100% SAF in one engine. This was done in partnership with Neste and other committed partners, supporting future certification where 100% drop-in SAF is approved for commercial airline operations.

Currently, SAF is approved for use in all aircraft but only in blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.

With inputs from WAM