Boeing has entered a partnership with SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas focused on increasing the availability and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally, the U.S. airframer said Wednesday. Boeing also said it would invest in SkyNRG Americas' SAF production project, for which Alaska Airlines earlier this year committed to serving as a partner. Plans call for the SkyNRG Americas’ facility to supply SAF for airports, airlines, and Boeing operations on West Coast.
"Sustainable aviation fuels are safe, proven, and offer the greatest potential to reduce our industry's carbon emissions in the near, medium, and long term [future]," said Boeing chief sustainability officer Chris Raymond. "This partnership is an important milestone on our journey to decarbonize aerospace while ensuring that its societal and economic benefits are available to people everywhere."
Boeing, SkyNRG, and SkyNRG Americas will work together to accelerate SAF development globally, focusing on scaling production capacity, building awareness, and engaging stakeholders throughout the value chain, including airlines, governments, and environmental organizations, the companies said.
SkyNRG sources and supplies SAF, develops production capacity, advises on policy decisions, and manages corporate SAF programs. SkyNRG Americas is a new company focused on increasing SAF production in North America. Its first dedicated U.S. production facility for SAF will supply airports and airlines on the West Coast. Boeing's investment in the project includes the advance purchase of SAF from the facility for use in company flight tests and other operations.
Boeing began SAF test flights in 2008 and helped gain approval for commercial use in 2011. The Boeing EcoDemonstrator uses SAF for all flight test programs and completed the world's first commercial airplane flight using 100 percent SAF in 2018. Earlier this year, Boeing committed to ensuring the certification of all its commercial airplanes for operation on 100 percent SAF by 2030.
"Our industry will need a strong, reliable supply of SAF to address climate change and drive adoption," said Raymond. "We aspire to partner and help create that supply."
During the FIA Connect event on July 14, Boeing's chief technology officer Naveed Hussain said that the push for widespread availability of SAF is just one part of the airframer's efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its aircraft. He confirmed that the U.S. group's engineering teams are working on future airliner concepts using transonic braced wings and very high aspect thin wings while declining to provide a projected timeline for these studies advancing to full-scale development work.