TAP Air Portugal, Galp and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal have entered into a strategic partnership to develop, produce and supply Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) on a large scale, from waste, recycled used oils and other sustainable raw materials.

It heralds the start of a new aviation era in Portugal using SAF provided by Galp, in line with the European framework on mandatory SAF incorporation of SAF in aviation.

The first flight in Portugal fuelled with SAF departed last Friday (July 22),for a flight between Lisbon and Ponta Delgada in an Airbus 321neo, painted in TAP’s retro colors and called ‘Portugal’.

The fuel included 39% material of renewable origin (HEFA), with fewer total emissions when compared to the high carbon alternative. The reduction in emissions on this first flight was 7.1 tonnes of CO2eq, which represents a 35% decrease in total CO2 emissions.

The partnership includes the ‘RefuelEU Aviation’ legislative initiative aimed at increasing the supply and demand for SAF in the European Union and its use by 2% by 2025, 5% by 2030 and 63% by 2050.

TAP is a signatory to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) resolution which, in October 2021, committed to achieving zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The SAF used on TAP flights will be supplied by the leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel, Neste.

Sustainable jet fuel has the advantage of offering similar performance to traditional jet fuel and can be used in the same engines as fossil fuel, but with a significantly smaller carbon footprint, with a reduction in emissions of up to 80%.

Neste’s SAF is produced from sustainably sourced raw materials, including used cooking oil and animal fat.

The Portuguese flag carrier, operates flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Dublin to destinations in Portugal, including the capital Lisbon.

Video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ci_uYDR5kY&w=560&h=315%5D

Top Copyright Photo: TAP-Transportes Aereos Portugueses Airbus A321-251N WL CS-TJR (msn 10105) ZRH (Andi Hiltl). Image: 956978.

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