First flights started with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) in the aviation industry

Do you prefer to travel by plane for your travels, business trips or holiday trips? Well, if your preference is for the airplane, do you know how it affects the environment? The aviation industry is responsible for about four percent of global carbon emissions. Moreover, not only passenger planes but also summary jets have a significant portion of this share. For example, don't you think that a flight between London and San Francisco would result in a carbon footprint of about 1 tonne of CO2 per economy ticket, both surprisingly and sadly? Therefore, considering the damage to nature, it is impossible not to be aware of the need to do something about it. In addition to many world giant airline companies, major aviation companies whose names we hear frequently in our country have started to closely follow SAF, that is, "Sustainable Aviation Fuel", which is abbreviated as "Sustainable Aviation Fuel" in order to make environmentally sensitive choices.

What is sustainable aviation fuel?

SAF, or sustainable aviation fuel, in its simplest definition, is a clean alternative to fossil jet fuels. Instead of being refined from petroleum, SAF is produced from sustainable sources such as waste oils of biological origin, agricultural residues or non-fossil CO2. In other words, animal and plant oils used in meals, oils obtained from packaging, paper, textile, food and similar wastes from homes or workplaces can form SAF. These waste oils, which would go to waste under normal conditions, are converted into fuel, enabling sustainable aviation. Thus, the opportunity arises for each airline company to establish its own SAF. In addition, forest wastes (algae, fast-growing plants, etc.) are among other potential sources of SAF, expanding the options. Many individuals and organizations are supporting the reduction of carbon footprint by taking big and important steps on sustainable aviation fuel. So, how important is SAF and what awaits the aviation industry in the future?

Sustainable aviation fuel for nature-friendly flights

While conventional fossil fuels release additional carbon that was previously stored in reservoirs, SAF recycles CO2 emissions that were previously emitted and then absorbed from the atmosphere during biomass production, resulting in approximately 80 percent less CO2 emissions.

Research also points out that sustainable aviation fuel has a higher energy density than conventional jet fuel. SAF provides greater efficiency than conventional fuels in heavier load conditions or longer range flights. Thus, sustainable aviation fuel not only contributes to nature by reducing carbon emissions, but also lays the groundwork for energy savings.