Member Profile AirBP Continued from page 29 committed to supporting the industry and its customers in reaching these goals. By 2050, it is considered unlikely that electric or other alternative engine types will have become a significant part of the aviation industry. For that, among other reasons, the use of SAF in conventional aircraft has the potential to make the biggest impact on emissions. It’s not only about commercial transport. Air BP believes that private jet operators will also respond to the growing awareness of businesses and individuals of their own role in supporting a lower carbon future. Air BP is starting to see increasing interest in SAF from airlines, airports, and aircraft manufacturers. To date, it has supplied SAF to 15 airports. That includes Oslo Airport, where it was the first to supply SAF through the airport’s existing fueling infrastructure, and at Chicago-O’Hare International as part of that airport’s Fly Green Day initiative. Air BP is working with NATA to support the industry’s SAF coalition to promote sustainable fuels across the industry, with ongoing initiatives this year around the EBACE and NBAA conventions and exhibitions. In May, Air BP offered SAF at Caen Carpiquet airport in France, and at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden as part of the SAF coalition. For a clearer understanding of SAF, Tom Parsons, Air BP’s Biojet commercial development manager, has addressed frequently asked questions (FAQ) about what it is, how Air BP continues to promote its development, and its role in reducing aviation CO2 emissions. 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, renewable feedstocks and is very simi- lar in its chemistry to fossil jet fuel. Using SAF results in a reduction of CO2 emissions compared to fossil jet fuel over the lifecycle of the fuel. Some typical feedstocks are used cooking oil and other non-palm waste oils from animals or plants and solid waste from homes and 30 Tom Parsons, Air BP’s Biojet Commercial Development Manager 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 called BP Biojet and is currently made from used cooking oil and other waste. 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. There aren’t any other viable options today for transporting groups of people quickly over very long distances, so we’re dependent on this type of fuel in avia- tion. However, a return flight between London and San Francisco has a carbon footprint per economy ticket of nearly 1 ton of CO2. That’s the same as driving a diesel car 3,750 miles, or 6,035 kilometers. With the aviation industry expected to double to 8.2 billion passengers by 2037, it is essential that we take action to reduce avia- tion’s carbon emissions, and SAF is one way in which we as an industry are doing that. How much carbon (CO2) does it save? SAF gives an impressive reduction of up to 80 percent in CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of the fuel compared to fossil jet fuel, depending on the sustainable feedstock used, production method, and the supply chain to the airport. Continued on page 32 Aviation Business Journal | Fall 2019
