Sustainable Aviation News - October Edition

Discover the latest sustainable aviation news worldwide ?? from e-SAF partnerships to in-flight efficiency and much more!

Malaysia to produce SAF from palm oil waste, while Thailand pumps first SAF shipments to Bangkok’s airports.

The Malaysian government has announced state-owned oil company Petronas will collaborate with major palm oil producers to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel from palm oil waste.

?? Key points

• Malaysia announced plans for state-owned Petronas to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from palm oil waste. This move aims to bolster its palm oil industry but faces scrutiny over environmental impacts of palm oil production.
• Thailand began supplying blended SAF to Bangkok's airports as part of a pilot program. Produced from used cooking oil, this project prepares Thai infrastructure for broader SAF use.
• 新加坡航空 rlines will soon receive 500 tonnes of SAF from Neste's local refinery, part of a growing mandate requiring SAF for flights from 2026.

Read the full article ?? Malaysia to produce SAF from palm oil waste, while Thailand pumps first SAF shipments to Bangkok’s airports by Green Air News Tony Harrington

How Viva Aerobus improved Zero Fuel Weight to save more fuel.

Viva Aerobus' Head of Fuel Efficiency, Nancy Madrigal, explores how the airline leveraged advanced analytics to reduce Zero Fuel Weight discrepancies and improve its fuel efficiency.

?? Key points

• Viva Aerobus, Mexico’s low-cost airline, aimed to enhance fuel efficiency by addressing Zero Fuel Weight (ZFW) discrepancies using SkyBreathe? Analytics.
• Initial analyses revealed a 2.1-ton difference between planned and actual ZFW, increasing fuel usage and costs. Strategies like adjusting passenger weights by route and factoring in no-shows reduced ZFW errors by 74%, down to 500-550 kg.
• This optimization helped the airline reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions!

Read the full use case ?? How Viva Aerobus improved Zero Fuel Weight to save more fuel by OpenAirlines

California aand US airlines agree to boost SAF use to 200 million gallons by 2035.

California and Airlines for America (A4A) are collaborating to enhance sustainable aviation fuel production, aiming to meet 40% of California's aviation fuel needs by 2035.

?? Key points

• This partnership involves major U.S. airlines, including American, United, Delta, and Southwest, to promote SAF adoption and reduce carbon emissions within California.
• By 2035, 200 million gallons of SAF are targeted for availability, with pricing to compete with fossil fuels.
• A new SAF working group will monitor progress, and policies will attract investment to boost SAF production.

Read the full article ?? California And US Airlines Agree To Boost SAF Use To 200 Million Gallons By 2035 by Simple Flying

European aviation players launch Project SkyPower to drive investment in e-SAF and meet EU and UK mandates.

A high-profile European coalition has joined forces to urgently advance the production of e-SAF – sustainable aviation fuels produced by combining renewable electricity, water and captured carbon dioxide.

?? Key points

• A European coalition launched Project SkyPower to advance e-SAF (synthetic SAF) production, uniting over 50 companies to drive government-supported policies for scaling production by 2030.
• SkyPower seeks up to €25 billion in investment by 2030 to establish e-SAF infrastructure in Europe, projected to meet future EU and UK SAF mandates.
• E-SAF could lower emissions by up to 90% and support around 90,000 jobs, with Europe positioned to lead in this market.

Read the full article ?? European aviation players launch Project SkyPower to drive investment in e-SAF and meet EU and UK mandates by Green Air News Tony Harrington

The path to new in-flight fuel savings at Transavia.

Captain Emmanuel de Norman, Deputy Chief Pilot at Transavia ia France shares their approach to enhancing in-flight fuel efficiency through the integration of real-time data and advanced digital solutions.

?? Key points

• Transavia has adopted real-time in-flight data analysis via OpenAirlines' SkyBreathe? platform, empowering pilots to adjust operations during flights for optimal fuel efficiency.
• By trialing an electronic flight bag (EFB) live assistant, Transavia equips pilots with immediate insights, fostering significant CO? emissions reductions.
• This initiative enhances pilots' decision-making, creating a proactive approach to fuel conservation in the cockpit.

Read the full case study ?? The path to new in-flight fuel savings at Transavia by Aircraft Commerce

Southwest introduces bamboo cups, wood stir sticks to cut single-use plastics.

Southwest looked into the environmental impact of its inflight service items and identified two of the largest sources of single-use plastics: cups for cold beverages and stir sticks.

?? Key points

• Southwest Airlines introduced bamboo cups and wooden stir sticks, replacing plastic to reduce single-use items in flight services.
• The airline expects this shift to cut over 1.5 million pounds of plastic annually, supporting its "Nonstop to Net Zero" sustainability initiative.
• Southwest aims for a 50% reduction in plastic by 2025 and complete elimination by 2030, contributing to its long-term carbon neutrality goal by 2050.

Read the full article ?? Southwest introduces bamboo cups, wood stir sticks to cut single-use plastics by AeroTime

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partner on sustainability initiatives.

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways revealed they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on a range of sustainability initiatives.

?? Key points

• Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways signed an MoU to enhance sustainability efforts, focusing on SAF and low-carbon aviation fuel.
• Their collaboration covers SAF certification, waste and energy management, sustainable procurement, and workforce development in Australia.
• This MoU strengthens their partnership, aiming to tackle climate goals by combining Qatar’s widebody expertise with Virgin Australia's local initiatives.

Read the full article ?? Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partner on sustainability initiatives by Simple Flying

How much of an aircraft can be recycled?

Recycling has become a part of our everyday lives, but one question that is often asked is how aircraft are recycled and which parts of an aircraft can be recycled.

?? Key points

• Aircraft recycling has evolved to repurpose engines, landing gears, avionics, and fuselage metals like aluminum and titanium, contributing to a $3 billion industry.
• Up to 92% of an aircraft’s weight can now be recycled, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy in aviation.
• Retirements are projected to reach 1,100 aircraft annually by 2038, highlighting recycling as a critical environmental and business priority for the aviation sector.

Read the full article ?? How much of an aircraft can be recycled? by Simple Flying

Thank you for reading our quick Sustainable Aviation News June recap.

Do you have other "must-know" updates from the industry?

Please share it with us in the comments, we'll be thrilled to know more about it!

?? See you next month #Avgeeks