Air New Zealand will next week receive its first shipment of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), following an agreement with SAF manufacturer Neste and import partner Z Energy, the companies announced on Thursday (15 September).
The agreement will see 1.2 million litres of neat SAF delivered to the carrier, the equivalent of fuelling around 400 return flights between Auckland, the country’s business hub, and its capital city Wellington.
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran said the shipment marks a “major milestone” for the carrier as it will be used to help establish the supply chain for importing SAF into the country.
“Air New Zealand is already one of the most fuel-efficient airlines in the world with our modern fleet, but the future of travel relies on low-carbon air transport.
“While we are starting out small, it will help us to understand how we can ensure the supply chain is robust enough to keep up with demand,” he said.
Earlier this year the carrier announced its commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. While admitting that sourcing SAF remains a challenge, Foran said that by 2030 he expects the carrier’s fleet of 98 aircraft to be fuelled by 10 per cent SAF.
Neste, meanwhile, is already working with several airlines, including EasyJet, United Airlines and Finnair, to support the decarbonisation of aviation.
“We are proud to support Air New Zealand and the New Zealand Government to reach their ambitious climate goals that show a great example for others to follow,” said Sami Jauhiainen, vice president APAC, renewable aviation at Neste.
“With the expansion project at our Singapore refinery nearing completion, and the ongoing modification of our Rotterdam refinery to increase SAF production capabilities there, we will be able to produce up to 1.5 million tons of SAF by the end of 2023, ready to support aviation globally and in the Asia-Pacific region,” he added.
Using SAF in its neat form can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 per cent. Neste’s ‘MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel’ is produced from 100 per cent sustainably-sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste, and is commercially available worldwide.