Scroll Top

The use of future airplane fuel could be the future of aviation

future airplane fuel

What is future airplane fuel?

Aviation future airplane fuel growth will enable even more individuals, communities and businesses to enjoy the benefits that aviation sector brings.

However, we must look to grow responsibly, and this means tackling emissions today, along with a clear, long term approach to sustainability.

The use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is on the rise, but what is it exactly?

SAF stands for sustainable aviation fuel. It’s produced from sustainable feedstocks and is very similar in its chemistry to traditional fossil fuel.

Using SAF results in a reduction in carbon emissions commercial aircraft compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces over the lifecycle of the fuel.

Some typical feedstocks used are cooking oil and other non-palm waste oils from animals or plants; solid waste from homes and businesses, such as packaging, paper, textiles, and food scraps that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration.

Other potential sources include forestry waste, such as waste wood, and energy crops, including fast growing plants and algae.

Air bp’s SAF is currently made from used cooking oil and animal waste fat.

Commercial operations could begin in 2025 with airline schedule adjustments, and other aircraft manufacturer included.

While routes are up to 10% longer than necessary, modernized air traffic control systems using ADS-B technology like the FAA NEXTGEN or European SESAR could allow more direct routing, but there is resistance from air traffic controllers.

Why is SAF important?

Jet fuel packs a lot of energy for its weight and it is this energy density that has really enabled commercial flight.

Today, there aren’t any other viable options for transporting groups of people quickly over very long distances, so we’re dependent on this type of fuel in aviation.

A return flight between London and San Francisco has a carbon footprint per economy ticket of nearly 1 tonne of CO2 emmissions.

With the aviation industry expected to double to over 8 billion passengers by 2050, it is essential that we act to reduce carbon aviation emissions and SAF is one way in which Air bp is doing that.

How much carbon does it save?

SAF gives an impressive reducing emissions of up to 80% over the life cycle of the future airplane fuel compared to traditional jet fuel it replaces, depending on the sustainable feedstock used, production method and the supply chain to the airport.

Is it safe to use?

Blending SAF up to 50% with traditional jet fuel and all quality tests complete as per a traditional jet fuel.

The blend is then re-certified as Jet A or Jet A-1.

It handles in the same way as a traditional jet fuel, so no changes requires in the fueling infrastructure or for an aircraft wanting to use SAF.

In 2016, we were the first operator to commence commercial supply of SAF through an existing hydrant fueling system, at Norway’s Oslo Airport.

Is SAF suitable for all aircraft?

Any aircraft certified for using the current specification of jet fuel can use SAF.

Today, aviation is responsible for 3.6% of European Union greenhouse gas emissions.

Modern planes use kerosene as fuel, releasing harmful Co2 emissions into the atmosphere.

But what if there was another way?

One possible solution is to use a new type of future airplane fuel that doesn’t produce harmful emissions – hydrogen -.

Long-touted as a sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen is now gaining serious traction as a possibility for aviation, and already tests are under way to prove its effectiveness.

Hydrogen aircraft would emit only water, and initial tests suggest they can be just as fast as traditional planes, carrying more than a hundred passengers per flight over thousands of kilometers.

A recent report on the potential of hydrogen-powered aviation said such planes could enter the market as soon as 2035.

There are still significant challenges to make this happen. But if they can be overcome, the future of aviation could be much greener than it is today and be a functioning component of a decarbonized world.

Sustainable Fuel Is The Key

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a drastic reduction in air travel, leaving many airlines facing an uncertain future.

It might be tempting to assume that once air travel resumes, it would be business as usual as the airline industry focuses on a return to profitability over commitments to achieve net-zero emissions.

At pre-pandemic levels, aviation was responsible for 2-3% of overall global emissions, and current forecasts from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) anticipate significant growth in air travel throughout the 2020s.

In addition, as the world looks to build back better, a growing proportion of airline passengers will be millennials who are likely to book with sustainable future brands with which their values align.

Why Hydrogen Storage

Hydrogen storage as renewable energy is a key enabling technology for the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in applications including stationary power, portable power, and transportation.

Hydrogen has the highest energy per mass of any fuel; however, its low ambient temperature density results in a low energy per unit volume, therefore requiring the development of advanced storage methods that have potential for higher energy density.

Who provides Fuel service in Africa?

AN Aviation Services is your Fuel provider in Africa, throughout the years, AN Aviation Services has established relationships with worldwide aviation fuel suppliers.

In Addition, AN Aviation Services acquires a huge amount of aviation fuel, and fuel farm airport to our customer per year, and this let us obtain the best competitive prices of aviation fuel for your aircraft.

AN Aviation Services arranges aviation fuel service ( Jet a-1AV Gas ) at all our locations very fast and competitively.

AN aviation fuel contract not only for fueling, but also is a part of the service that goes hand-in-hand with other ramp ground activity.

Consider aviation fuel arrangements and the uplift supervision process by our company to be a part of the services we offer to our customers.