Lufthansa and Co. plan to fly with sustainable aviation fuels

Feb 15 2023 Travel trends

The aviation industry is currently undergoing a transformation. Demand for air travel is rising steadily, but at the same time the industry is being criticized for its high CO2 emissions. To counter this problem, many airlines are working on solutions to make their fleets more environmentally friendly. One way is to use sustainable aviation fuels, also known as SAF.

Sustainable fuels

SAF are a type of renewable energy sources made from waste and residual materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. They include, for example, waste fuel, kitchen waste, vegetable oil, and even waste gas. The use of these fuels can significantly reduce the aviation industry's CO2 emissions, as they emit far fewer greenhouse gases when burned than conventional kerosene. Another advantage of SAF is that they are easier and more cost-efficient to produce than conventional kerosene. In addition, their availability is infinite, as they are produced from waste and residual materials.

Lufthansa is one of the leading companies in the aviation industry that uses SAF. The company has already begun fueling part of its fleet with SAF and is working closely with industry and academic partners to further develop and disseminate the technology. Other major airlines, including United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Air France, have also expressed interest in SAF and are working on projects to deploy it in their fleets.

Reducing CO2 emissions

An important step in the use of SAF is the creation of a functioning infrastructure. This includes the availability of fuel at airports and the development of technologies that enable SAF to be produced and distributed. Governments also play an important role in promoting the use of SAF. Some countries have already adopted policies to support the use of SAF. These include tax benefits for companies that use SAF, as well as incentive programs to develop and distribute the technology.

However, there is still a long way to go before the use of sustainable fuels will be generally accepted and widespread in the aviation industry. There is still a great need for research and development to ensure that the technology is economical and environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, the outlook is promising. The use of SAF can make a significant contribution to reducing the aviation industry's CO2 emissions and thus be an important step toward a more sustainable future.