A Virgin Atlantic passenger jet powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has completed a flight from London to New York, demonstrating the potential of low-carbon technologies that are a small part of the industry's fuel mix, TVP World reported.
The flight, performed by Virgin's Boeing 787 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, is the first long-haul commercial flight of a 100% UAG. There were no passengers or cargo in it.
The flight was carrying only billionaire and Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson and several others, who will return to London using conventional jet fuel.
The flight is not the first time the aviation industry has staged demonstrations to highlight its drive to reduce emissions.
Airlines are counting on fuel produced from waste to reduce their emissions by up to 70%, but the high cost and limited supply of materials needed to produce UAG make large-scale production difficult. UAG makes up less than 0.1% of the total world jet fuel used today and costs three to five times more than conventional jet fuel.
Aviation is not an easy sector to decarbonize compared to road transport and is estimated to account for 2-3% of global carbon emissions.
Engines in commercial use are not yet certified to fly with more than 50% UAG, and the vast majority of flights mix much less UAG with traditional jet fuel. /BGNES
