World¡¯s First Transatlantic Flight Powered By '100% Sustainable' Aviation Fuel Takes Off From London Heathrow
Virgin Atlantic departs London Heathrow for New York JFK on the first-ever flight powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel.
A historic transatlantic flight has made headlines because it is the first to be powered entirely by '100% green' aviation fuel, which is a major milestone for sustainable aviation.
This accomplishment is a significant step toward the aviation industry's goal of lowering its carbon footprint and switching to greener alternatives.
Who Is On The Flight?
Credit: Sky News
Sir Richard Branson, the creator of Virgin, Shai Weiss, the chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, and UK Transport Secretary Mark Harper are all aboard this historic flight.
What Is The Buzz All About?
Virgin Atlantic is leading the way in utilizing 100% sustainable aviation fuel for the first-ever commercial transatlantic flight, signifying the launch of Jet Zero.
The first non-stop transatlantic flight was completed by John Alcock and Arthur Brown in 1919, and Virgin Atlantic is demonstrating the practicality of using sustainable aviation fuel to reduce carbon emissions associated with long-haul flights.
Using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a long-haul commercial aircraft is crossing the Atlantic for the first time.
Credit: Sky News
Until now, authorities have only permitted airlines to run their engines using up to 50% eco-fuel.
"Today's historic flight, powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel, shows how we can both decarbonize transport and enable passengers to keep flying when and where they want," Harper said in response.
"We will continue to support the UK's emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy, and gets us to Jet Zero. This government has backed today's flight to take off."
Where Will The Aircraft Fly?
Credit: Sky News
One of Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787s will take off from London Heathrow and cross the pond to JFK International Airport in New York.
This journey typically results in significant carbon emissions, but thanks to sustainable aviation fuel, those emissions will be significantly reduced.
How Will Sustainable Air Travel Decarbonise Air Travel?
The UK government challenged Virgin Atlantic and its consortium in December 2022 to accomplish the first transatlantic flight using sustainable aviation fuel.
As part of that challenge, the Department for Transport awarded up to ?1 million in funding.
Credit: Aviation A2Z
Waste fats that are incapable of making their way into the food chain are used to create the sustainable aviation fuel that powers Virgin Atlantic flights.
Reusing waste products can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by 70% when compared to standard jet fuel throughout their life cycle.
A rule that will require 10% of jet fuel to originate from sustainable sources by 2030 will make sustainable fuels an increasingly important component of the standard jet fuel mix in the years to come.
UK's Sky-High Net Zero Ambitions
This action is a component of a larger government campaign to clear the skies.
The government unveiled the Advanced Fuels Fund's second round earlier this month, awarding ?53 million to nine projects in an effort to expand the market for sustainable aviation fuel.
Credit: PR NewsWire
Reaching the 2050 climate targets will depend on the project, and Virgin Atlantic's transatlantic flight will provide vital data to expedite the fuel's approval and better understand its efficiency.
What do you think about it? Do let us know in the comments.
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