British Airways announced on 9th February 2021 that the company is investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology provider and producer LanzaJet, as to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to British Airways, the company will invest in LanzaJet’s Fuel Plant in its first commercial scale facility in Georgia, USA. By the end of 2022, it is expected that a number of flights will be powered by the purchase of SAF from the plant by the airline. Moreover, the partnership will also include LanzaJet early stages planning and design for a potential commercial facility in the UK.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ CEO, said:
“Despite the crisis in global aviation, it is vital for our future that we continue to address climate change and we remain focused on playing our part to reduce the impact we have on the planet. For the last 100 years we have connected Britain with the world and the world with Britain, and to ensure our success for the next 100, we must do this sustainably.
“Progressing the development and commercial deployment of sustainable aviation fuel is crucial to decarbonising the aviation industry and this partnership with LanzaJet shows the progress British Airways is making as we continue on our journey to net zero.
Construction of the plant in Georgia is due to begin this year. The plant will convert sustainable ethanol (a chemical compound widely blended with petrol to reduce its carbon intensity) into sustainable aviation fuel using a patented chemical process.
The fuel produced at the plant will deliver a reduction of more than 70 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil jet fuel, according to British Airways.
This deal with LanzaJet is in addition to the airline’s existing partnership with Velocys. The goal of the existing partnership is to build a facility to convert household and commercial waste into renewable sustainable jet fuel in the UK by 2025.
The airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), will be investing $400 million in sustainable aviation fuel in the next 20 years, and the airline will focus on achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 via a series of short, medium and long-term initiatives, according to British Airways.
LanzaJet CEO, Jimmy Samartzis said:
“Our world is at a crossroads on climate change and our industry is at inflection point, prepared to accelerate the energy transition that is needed. We are delighted to welcome British Airways to the LanzaJet family. Low-cost, sustainable fuel options are critical for the future of the aviation sector and the LanzaJet process offers the most flexible feedstock solution at scale, recycling wastes and residues into SAF that allows us to keep fossil jet fuel in the ground. British Airways has long been a champion of waste to fuels pathways especially with the UK Government. With the right support for waste-based fuels, the UK would be an ideal location for commercial scale LanzaJet plants. We look forward to continuing the dialogue with BA and the UK Government in making this a reality, and to continuing our support of bringing the Prime Minister’s Jet Zero vision to life.”
Kuehne+Nagel and Air France KLM Cargo have launched the first carbon neutral air freight lane between North America and Europe. Read more here.
Credit: British Airways
