Kenya Airways pilots use of sustainable aviation fuel

Kenya Airways on Thursday piloted the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), from Nairobi to Europe.

In doing so, KQ possibly becomes the first airline in Africa to fly the most sustainable commercial long haul flight.

"Kenya Airways has become the first African airline to fly possibly the most sustainable commercial long-haul flight from Africa to Europe," noted KQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Allan Kilavuka.

"We have piloted the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on our flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam as part of The Sustainable Flight Challenge by SkyTeam.This is the first pathway to testing the use of SAF within Africa and is among other impactful initiatives taken by the airline on this special flight," he added.

The flight, Boeing 787-800 (B787-8) Dreamliner, took off from theJomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi, to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

According to aerospace.honeywell.com, progress is being made to allow SAF to be used as a 100% replacement to petroleum jet fuel on aircraft.

The site states that on December 1, 2021, United Airlines made aviation history by flying the first passenger flight powered by 100% SAF – taking passengers from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the US.

SAF can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% on a life-cycle emissions basis.

SAF can also be combined with conventional jet fuel to power aircraft, in blends of up to 50% with petroleum-based jet fuel.