London-area Farnborough Airport is the latest UK gateway to offer continuous supplies of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the arrival last week of its first 8,100-gallon (31,000 liter) shipment of the fuel. A second load was delivered this week. Farnborough will continue to supply both the SAF 35 percent blend for those who choose it, alongside standard jet-A. Although not required, the blended fuel will be held separately from the airport's standard fuel supply.
Produced from 100 percent renewable waste including used cooking oil and animal fat wastes, SAF in its neat form can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 80 percent over its lifecycle compared with standard fossil-based fuel. Testing efforts are currently underway by engine makers with an eye towards certification to run on 100 percent SAF.
The move enhances Farnborough's continuing environmental efforts. In 2018, it was the first business aviation gateway to be awarded carbon-neutral status by Airports Council International Europe, and it has reduced its controllable GHG emissions by more than 70 percent over the past decade.
“The introduction of SAF at Farnborough Airport is a major milestone in our sustainability program and we are pleased to be able to offer Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel by working with our fuel provider World Fuel Services,” said airport CEO Simon Geere. “We are fully committed to a sustainable future and are delighted to offer our customers the opportunity to make a greener choice and work with us to play an integral part in delivering against the UK government’s targets for net-zero carbon emissions.”
This is not the first appearance of renewable fuel at the airport. In May 2019, ahead of EBACE, Farnborough was the site of an SAF demonstration/education event. More than a dozen business jets heading for the Geneva business aviation show from North America fueled up there on SAF before continuing their journey to Geneva for EBACE.