A recent flight operated by Virgin Atlantic using its 787 Dreamliner on 28 November saw the first time that a commercial airline used 100 percent drop-in sustainable aviation fuel or SAF to fly on the transatlantic route from Heathrow to JFK. 

On the same flight, Kuehne+Nagel secured the available cargo space and utilised the corresponding amount of SAF for the transported goods. The forwarder said it is actively engaged in projects promoting the use of sustainable fuels within the logistics sector. 

The SAF used to power the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is produced by Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Synthetic Aromatic Kerosine (SAK) at an 88 percent SAF and 12 percent SAK blend ratio. 

In July, Virgin Atlantic Cargo launched its SAF programme where participants contribute to the airline’s fuel purchase and receive a corresponding certificate for the associated scope 3 emissions reductions. The move is part of the airline’s pledge to operate with 10 percent SAF by 2030.