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Sustainable fuel powers easyJet flights from Gatwick

Green Scene Airlines
The first of 42 easyJet flights powered by a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend flew from Gatwick Airport on Tuesday (19 October).

Powered by a 30% Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel blend, 39 of the 42 flights will go to Glasgow throughout the COP26 Climate Change Conference, which runs from 31 October to 12 November.

Q8Aviation has delivered the first supply of the blend to the airport, and is produced from 100% renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

The SAF is blended with Jet A-1 fuel at a depot upstream of Gatwick Airport to create a drop-in fuel that is compatible with existing aircraft engines and the airport infrastructure.

Q8Aviation delivered the fuel to the main storage tanks at Gatwick Airport for supply to easyJet aircraft via the airport’s hydrant system.

The airline has also partnered with World Fuel Services to introduce an electric hydrant dispenser to serve easyJet’s fleet of 71 aircraft at Gatwick.

Diesel equivalents are estimated to burn 6,630 litres of diesel every year, and the electric version can cut CO2 by 18 tonnes annually.

Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability at easyJet says: “The availability of SAF still needs to grow but they will be an important interim solution in our decarbonisation pathway, while we are supporting the development of zero-emission aircraft, which will be the most sustainable solution for short-haul networks such as our own in the long term.”


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