Emirates Airline Takes a Momentous Leap with First A380 Test Flight Powered by 100% SAF
Today, Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer of Emirates Airline, announced a groundbreaking achievement as the airline conducted a test flight that paves the way for future standardization, qualification, and adoption of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Al Redha stated, “Emirates is the first passenger airline in the world to operate an A380 with 100% drop-in SAF, sustainable fuel blended with conventional fuel, powering one of four Engine Alliance GP7200 engines.”
The successful test flight also marks a significant step in validating the use of SAF in one of the engines of the A380, a wide-body aircraft with four engines. This was the first time drop-in SAF had been used on an A380, with the expectation of full compatibility across the aircraft’s existing systems.
Al Redha emphasized the importance of making SAF more widely available, stating, “Now that we have completed this test, the next step would be to ensure the availability of the fuel in various airports. We rely on fuel suppliers to start manufacturing and producing such fuel in the required volume, and that will be the challenge.”
He also highlighted the growing global demand for lower-emission jet fuel alternatives and the critical role of producers and suppliers in commercializing SAF and making it available in the coming years, ultimately advancing the path to cutting emissions.
This recent milestone follows Emirates’ completion of the first 100% SAF-powered demonstration flight in the region on a GE90-powered Boeing 777-300ER earlier this year and the launch of the first Emirates flights operating with SAF provided by Shell Aviation last month at Dubai International Airport (DXB). In addition, Emirates has expanded its partnership with Neste to secure a supply of over 3 million gallons of blended SAF in 2024 and 2025 for flights departing from Amsterdam Schiphol and Singapore Changi airports, with current uplifts of SAF in Norway and France.
The test flight aligns with the third International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels, where industry members, international organizations, regulatory bodies, and high-level officials are driving policy-related decisions related to the adoption of SAF. Emirates’ successful test flight signals a significant advancement in the airline’s commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions in the aviation industry.
I have over 10 years of experience in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I have attended numerous conferences and events around the world, and my work has been featured in major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and Yahoo Finance.