United States cargo operator Atlas Air is joining a growing amount of airlines and manufacturers transitioning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel also known as SAF. Atlas Air will receiving SAF from energy company Repsol for flights from Zaragoza Airport (Spain). Atlas Air will eventually incorporate 5% SAF fuel on all of their flights.
A Greener Future
SAF will help Atlas Air to meet their sustainability objectives in a green cost efficient way. According to the Department Of Energy, “SAF contains non non-petroleum feedstocks contributing to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. According to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), over 360,000 commercial flights have used SAF in the United States and Europe.” SAF can be produced from non petroleum based food stocks including food and yard waste portion of municipal solid waste, woody biomass, fats/greases/oils, and other feedstocks.
Over the coming months, Repsol will open a dedicated plant exclusively for the production of advanced biofuels such as SAF in Cartagena Spain. The SAF agreement with Atlas Air will make Atlas Air the first cargo operator to use SAF regularly on cargo flights in Spain. This past year has been historic for Atlas Air as they took delivery of the final Boeing 747, now they also have bragging rights as Europe’s premier SAF cargo operator.