Emirates has carried out a take a look at flight with 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Gas (SAF) in a single engine of a B777-300ER. The flight, carried out in partnership with GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent, took off from Dubai Worldwide Airport (DXB), and flew for multiple hour over the Dubai shoreline.
The flight is the primary within the Center East and North Africa to be powered by 100 per cent SAF and is a part of the progress to help future certification the place 100 per cent drop-in SAF gasoline is accredited for plane. At the moment, SAF is accredited to be used in all plane, however solely in blends of as much as 50 per cent with typical jet gasoline.
Emirates labored alongside companions GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent to obtain and develop a mix of SAF that intently replicates the properties of typical jet gasoline. At every mix ratio, a number of chemical and bodily gasoline property measurements have been carried out. After a number of lab assessments and rigorous trials, they arrived at a mixing ratio that mirrored the qualities of jet gasoline. Eighteen tonnes of SAF have been blended, comprised of HEFA-SPK offered by Neste (hydro processed esters and fatty acids and artificial paraffinic kerosene) and HDO-SAK from Virent (hydro deoxygenated artificial fragrant kerosene). The 100 per cent SAF equipped one GE90 engine, with typical jet gasoline supplying the opposite engine.
The take a look at flight additional demonstrates the compatibility of the specifically blended SAF as a secure and dependable gasoline supply. The promising final result of this initiative additionally provides to the physique of business information and analysis round SAF blends in larger proportions, paving the best way for standardization and future approval of 100 per cent drop-in SAF as a substitute for jet gasoline, effectively above the present 50 per cent mix restrict.
The airline already runs a complete gasoline effectivity programme that actively investigates and implements methods to scale back pointless gasoline burn and emissions, wherever it’s operationally possible. Among the programme’s most important initiatives embrace the operation of “flex tracks”, or versatile routings – partnering with air navigation service suppliers to create essentially the most environment friendly flight plan for every flight. These efforts have been ongoing since 2003, and Emirates has been working with IATA to increase this routing system the world over as a normal working process the place potential.
Emirates’ first flight powered by SAF blended with jet gasoline was in 2017, working from Chicago O’Hare airport on a Boeing 777. It acquired its first SAF-powered A380 supply in 2020, and in addition uplifted 32 tonnes of SAF for its flights from Stockholm that very same 12 months.