Virgin Atlantic announces sustainable fuel deal

Virgin Atlantic have announced an exciting new fuel deal which will reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Crawley based, global aviation company, partner with Finnish based sustainable fuel producers, Neste Oyi and UK distribution partners, ExxonMobil, to provide their Heathrow based fleet with a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel.

The agreement to deliver 2.5million litres of neat Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to their Heathrow operations comes during one of the most challenging times for the industry.

Neste MY SAF, is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials.

In terms of addressing social and environmental responsibilities Virgin continue to be front runners.

In neat form (SAF) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% when compared to traditional fossil jet fuel.

The move to lower carbon footprint reaffirms a Virgin commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

As a result of a previous multi-billion dollar investment and renewal programme, the airline already fly one of the youngest, fuel-efficient fleets of next generation, twin engine aircraft. That investment, say Virgin, resulted in reducing carbon emissions by 20% from 2007 levels.

Virgin Atlantic’s VP of Corporate Development, Holly Boyd-Boland, said: “After fleet renewal, SAF represents the greatest opportunity to decarbonise aviation in the short to medium term. This supply is the beginning of commercial SAF at scale for Virgin Atlantic and whilst only enough to operate 140 flights between London and New York, it’s a starting point.”