Emirates Expands Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use with Neste Agreement, Commits to Long Term SAF Initiatives and Research.
Emirates began using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through a fuel agreement with Neste for flights from Singapore Changi Airport. This marks their first SAF investment in Asia. This marks the airline’s inaugural investment in SAF within Asia. Over the past several weeks, they have incorporated approximately 3.3 million litres of blended SAF into Changi Airport’s fuelling system. Emirates monitors SAF delivery into fuelling systems, ensuring accurate accounting and environmental benefit assessment. They use widely recognized industry methodologies. Emirates partnered with Neste this year to supply 2.6 million litres of neat SAF to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s fuelling systems. This collaboration enhances their SAF infrastructure.
Adel Al Redha, Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates, said, said “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. 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.“
Neste supplies sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) made from 100% renewable waste, including used cooking oil and animal fat waste. This SAF, utilized under the current agreement, is fully compatible with existing Emirates aircraft and airport fueling infrastructure. It can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions (CO2) by 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Alexander Kueper, Vice President Renewable Aviation Business, Neste, said “We are excited Emirates has started using our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Changi Airport as the next step in our cooperation. It 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. We are looking forward to continuing working together on scaling up the supply of SAF for Emirates’ operations.”
Emirates’ comprehensive SAF strategy aims to operationally utilize sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) wherever it is available within its network. The airline aims to share emissions reductions with corporate customers and freight forwarders. It collaborates on long-term SAF projects and supports UAE SAF initiatives.
Emirates operates flights from Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Paris, Lyon, and Oslo using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In 2023, Emirates conducted the first demonstration flights from Dubai using 100% SAF in one engine on Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft, supporting future certification for 100% SAF use. They approve SAF for blends with conventional jet fuel at up to 50%. The airline has committed USD $200 million to R&D projects to reduce fossil fuel impact in aviation. They recently partnered with the Aviation Impact Accelerator at Cambridge University. Emirates is a member of the UK’s Solent Cluster. They aim to establish a SAF plant producing 200,000 tonnes annually by 2032.
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Emirates is a founding participant of the UAE research consortium Air-CRAFT. The consortium focuses on developing, producing, and scaling SAF technologies for aviation.
Q. – How have they incorporated blended SAF into Changi Airport’s fuelling system?
A. – Approximately 3.3 million litres.
Q. – Who is Emirates’ partner in supplying SAF at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport?
A. – Neste.
