UK licenses flights powered by sustainable fuel

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said the approval for the planned flight on 28 November from London to New York came after it successfully met a "technical assessment" required by leading aviation companies.

UK licenses world's first flight to run on hydrogen fuel — Virgin Atlantic to make world's first transatlantic flight using fully sustainable jet fuel Photo: AFP

These companies include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BP and others.

According to scientists, the aviation industry produces high levels of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate change.

Airlines are pinning their hopes on sustainable aviation fuel – a biofuel that produces lower carbon emissions than traditional jet fuel but is currently more expensive to produce – to decarbonise the sector.

However, they warn the transition will be gradual, costly and could push up fares, slowing growth in passenger demand.

“As the UK’s aviation regulator, it is vital that we enable the industry to safely adopt more sustainable practices and push the boundaries of what is possible, to create a greener aviation industry,” said CAA chief executive Rob Bishton.

“This licence not only allows Virgin Atlantic and others to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, but is also an example of how the industry is always exploring new technologies.”

The CAA said the licence would pave the way for Virgin Atlantic to apply for approval from regulators in the US, Ireland and Canada, as the flight would pass through the airspace of each of those countries.

The UK regulator has been analysing various aspects of the planned flight, including ground testing with Rolls-Royce on a Trent 1000 engine running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel.

The initiative, part-funded by the UK Government, aims to test and demonstrate the feasibility of powering aircraft with sustainable fuels, according to the CAA.

As part of its push to accelerate the transition, the UK government awarded Virgin Atlantic $1.2 million in December last year to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel.

Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss said getting to this point had taken “extreme collaboration between our corporate partners and our governments”.

He noted the airline had committed to using 10% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030, and called on the government to help create a "sustainable UK aviation fuel industry".

Mai Anh (according to AFP, CNA)

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