Emirates operates demo flight powered with 100% SAF

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates said it has operated its first milestone demonstration flight on a Boeing 777-300ER, powering one of its engines with 100% SAF. The flight took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB), flying for more than one hour over the Dubai coastline. Emirates’ demonstration flight, which claims to be the first in the Middle East and North Africa to be powered by 100% SAF, supports the airline’s efforts to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions as the industry looks to scale up its use of SAF. The flights will also help to refine the playbook for future SAF demonstrations, and support future certification where 100% drop-in SAF fuel is approved for aircraft. Emirates worked alongside partners GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent to procure and develop a blend of SAF that closely replicates the properties of conventional jet fuel. Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airline said: “This flight is a milestone moment for Emirates and a positive step for our industry as we work collectively to address one of our biggest challenges – reducing our carbon footprint. It has been a long journey to finally see this demonstration 100% SAF flight take off. Emirates is the first passenger airline in the world to operate a Boeing 777 powering a GE engine with 100% SAF.”

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