(03/10/22) Cebu Pacific operated a passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) last week, becoming the first Philippine carrier to incorporate SAF in its commercial operations.
The flight between Singapore and Manila was operated with an Airbus A321neo, using 35% blended SAF produced by Neste and supplied by Shell Eastern Petroleum.
A day before the flight, Cebu Pacific signed a long-term strategic partnership with Shell Eastern Petroleum to collaborate on making SAF more widely available.
The MOU explores the supply and purchase of SAF in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, with an initial supply volume of at least 25 kilotons per year.
Cebu Pacific operated its first passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in September
“We are excited to work with Cebu Pacific in this five-year collaboration as we both believe that SAF is the best option available now for aviation to decarbonize by 2050. This agreement is testimony to the growing demand in the Asia Pacific region and we are ready to meet that need,” said Jan Toschka, President of Shell Aviation.
SAF is a “drop-in” replacement for fossil fuels made up of 100% renewable waste and raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. Using SAF results in up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle.
The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, and can be safely mixed with regular jet fuel to varying degrees.
SAF does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance or maintenance.
“SAF will help the aviation industry reduce its carbon emissions,” said Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer at Cebu Pacific. “We encourage more producers to increase the supply of SAF in the region. Our first passenger flight using SAF is a culmination of months of cooperation with valued partners and is an important component of our sustainability program.”
Cebu Pacific first used SAF in May on the delivery flight of a brand new A330neo from France to Philippines.
The airline will take delivery of one more A33Oneo in November and one A320neo aircraft in December.
As part of its sustainability efforts, Cebu Pacific aims to transition to an all-NEO fleet by 2028 and incorporate the use of blended SAF for its entire commercial network by 2030.
