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World’s first net zero transatlantic flight to fly from London in 2023
Aviation has long been acknowledged to be the hardest transport mode to decarbonise, but this year it is hoped and expected that the first ever net zero transatlantic flight will take off from the UK.
The London to New York air corridor is used by thousands of people for business and leisure trips every week. Proving in principle that this popular route can be decarbonised will mark the passing of a significant milestone for the aviation sector.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC NAMED COMPETITION WINNER
In December 2022, British airline Virgin Atlantic was named as the winner of a competition to receive government funding to fly across the pond using solely sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
In 2023, one of Virgin Atlantic’s flagship Boeing 787s, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, will take off from London Heathrow and make the journey to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.
COMBINING SAF WITH CARBON REMOVAL
The flight is expected to achieve net zero through a combination of SAF and carbon removal.
SAF can slash lifecycle carbon emissions by over 70% compared to conventional fossil jet fuel, when fully replacing kerosene, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said. This flight is expected to be fuelled by SAF made primarily from waste oils and fats, such as used cooking oil. The use of 100% SAF on the flight, combined with carbon removal through biochar credits – a material which traps and stores carbon taken from the atmosphere – will make the flight net zero.
Not only will SAF be key in decarbonising aviation, it could create a UK industry with an annual turnover of £2.4 billion by 2040, and which supports up to 5,200 UK jobs by 2035.
TRANSATLANTIC ROUTE TO BE AT FOREFRONT OF CUTTING EMISSIONS
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “For decades, flying from London to New York has symbolised aviation’s ability to connect people and drive international progress. It’s now going to be at the forefront of cutting carbon emissions from flying.
“Not only will this flight pave the way for future generations, it will demonstrate just how much we can achieve when we work together on a shared goal – bringing together some of the best businesses and academics in the world and led by a British airline.”
Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic CEO, said: “As an airline founded on and committed to innovation, we’re proud to lead a cross-industry consortium of partners to make aviation history by operating the first ever 100% SAF flight across the Atlantic. Virgin Atlantic’s inaugural flight in 1984 was to New York and today it continues to be one of our most popular routes. It will be an honour to pave the way for this important business and leisure route to become even more sustainable.”
Alexandra Herdman, Senior Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “As the most challenging transport mode to decarbonise, aviation could find itself as one of the highest-emitting sectors for greenhouse gases by 2050. That is why it is so encouraging to see collaborative action like this between government and industry. We applaud DfT and Virgin Atlantic’s activities thus far and look forward to hearing further news of this exciting endeavour as the date for the first net zero transatlantic flight approaches.”
*www.logistics.org.uk/air
Published On: 05/01/2023 16:00:31
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