The first Vietnamese airline to use sustainable fuel SAF

Vietnam Airlines has just successfully conducted a flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with flight number VN660, from Singapore to Hanoi, on May 27.

Vietnam Airlines has just successfully conducted a flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - Photo: VNA

Vietnam Airlines has made history by becoming the first airline in Vietnam to use sustainable fuel for commercial passenger flights. An important step in the journey of 'green aviation' This is an important step for the Vietnamese aviation industry in general and the national airline in particular in the journey to become a "Green Aviation", contributing to the goal of reducing net emissions to "0" (also known as "Net zero") by 2050 as committed by Vietnam at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP26). Sustainable aviation fuel - SAF is a fuel produced from renewable and sustainably sourced materials, such as used cooking oil and waste animal fat. SAF meets strict international aviation standards and can be safely used on commercial flights. Accordingly, SAF can help reduce up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the fuel life cycle, while minimizing other harmful emissions such as NOx, SO2 and fine dust, thereby contributing to reducing the greenhouse effect. In addition, SAF can be stored and transported like traditional fossil fuels, has the ability to operate well in cold weather conditions and helps improve flight performance. These make SAF a potential alternative fuel source to fossil fuels, contributing to the process of reducing carbon emissions for the aviation industry. Using SAF fuel is a trend of interest in the world today. At the 41st plenary session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2022, aviation agencies jointly committed to the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, research institutes and aviation fuel suppliers have actively invested in and developed technologies for the production of sustainable aviation fuel. At the 26th, 27th and 28th Conferences of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP), Vietnam affirmed its commitments to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The activities of the aviation industry are particularly significant to this goal.

SAF can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over the life cycle of the fuel, while also minimizing other harmful emissions such as NOx, SO2 and particulate matter.

Determined to use sustainable aviation fuel Vietnam Airlines said that although the price of sustainable aviation fuel is currently 2-3 times higher than that of traditional fossil fuels, and at times even 5-6 times higher, Vietnam Airlines is still determined to use this type of fuel. This is also a testament to the airline's strong commitment to protecting the environment, aiming for sustainable development and implementing social responsibility according to ESG criteria (Environment, Society and Governance). Mr. Nguyen Chien Thang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines shared: "Vietnam Airlines believes that the use of SAF will help create a more sustainable future for the aviation industry, while providing passengers with a flight experience that is not only of excellent service quality but also exceptionally environmentally friendly. The airline continues to cooperate with partners in the supply chain to expand the use of SAF in the future, thereby contributing to the successful implementation of the goals of reducing net zero emissions and preventing climate change." SAF fuel for flight VN660 from Singapore to Hanoi was provided by Neste - the world's leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. “We are delighted that Vietnam Airlines has chosen our Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel for its first flight using SAF. The aviation industry is committed to ambitious climate targets, and sustainable aviation fuel plays a key role in achieving these goals. As the world’s leading SAF producer, Neste is committed to supporting customers like Vietnam Airlines on their journey to decarbonisation, and we look forward to expanding this collaboration,” said Carrie Song, Senior Vice President Commercial Renewable Products at Neste. Vietnam Airlines’ pioneering use of SAF also comes as the European Union (EU) sets a target of zero emissions to achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The EU is currently planning to make the use of sustainable aviation fuel mandatory. In addition to efforts to use SAF, Vietnam Airlines has been strongly implementing many measures to reduce CO2 emissions such as exploiting and using a new generation fleet to reduce CO2 emissions through fuel economy; optimizing flight routes, flight schedules and optimizing loading weight to reduce fuel consumption; ensuring an information technology system to monitor fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, with verification from a third party to send to state agencies...

In 2023, through aircraft optimization and fuel saving activities, the amount of CO2 that Vietnam Airlines will reduce is nearly 70,000 tons, 1.5 times more than in 2022 (44,240 tons).

Phan Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/hang-hang-khong-viet-nam-dau-tien-su-dung-nhien-lieu-ben-vung-saf-10224052809545071.htm