#Sustainability20: DG Fuels to open $5B SAF production facility in Minnesota & more
Weekly round-up - 08/11/24
Each Friday, we publish a round-up of the 20 most important stories on sustainable aviation. You can see previous editions of #Sustainability20 here.
Industry updates
Donald Trump's potential return to the White House could shift biofuel incentives, affecting imported feedstock regulations and domestic production whilst reconsidering climate-linked subsidies.
EasyJet and Airbus have launched a corporate partnership to stimulate SAF production, sharing costs with corporate clients to drive demand and reduce prices.
Heathrow Airport has relaunched its Fly Quieter and Greener league table, ranking airlines' environmental performance whilst incentivising improvements through transparent quarterly updates.
Eurowings has introduced an innovative smoothie called 'SAFt', enabling passengers to offset flight-related CO₂ emissions through SAF and climate project contributions.
Following successful implementation in 2023, Alaska Airlines has renewed its programme allowing frequent flyers to earn elite status through SAF credit purchases.
CLIMATE WATCH: Plastic pollution is changing entire Earth system, scientists find - The Guardian
Scientists have warned that plastic pollution affects Earth's entire system, exacerbating climate change and biodiversity loss whilst requiring comprehensive lifecycle management approaches.
Infrastructure and operational efficiencies
SITA and AACO have expanded their partnership to promote Eco Mission, a data-driven tool supporting airlines' sustainability efforts through real-time fuel usage monitoring.
London Luton Airport has invested in sustainable vehicles, aiming to reduce emissions by fifteen percent whilst progressing towards its net-zero goal by 2040.
President Biden has pledged nearly one billion dollars to upgrade American airports, focusing on infrastructure modernisation and environmental improvements across forty-six states.
Flair Airlines has partnered with Azzera to deploy the CELESTE platform, streamlining emissions compliance whilst reinforcing its position as Canada's “greenest airline”.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
DG Fuels has selected Moorhead, Minnesota, for its SAF facility to produce 193 million gallons annually whilst creating 650 jobs.
California has partnered with Airlines for America to increase SAF production, targeting 200 million gallons by 2035 for intrastate flights.
The Asia Sustainable Aviation Fuel Association has launched in Singapore, aiming to accelerate adoption across Asia through policy harmonisation and enhanced market frameworks.
Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada have completed emission measurement flights using synthetic fuel, marking a key step toward SAF implementation by 2027.
New technology: Electric and Hydrogen
BETA Technologies has secured $318 million for electric aircraft development, advancing zero-emission aviation through its ALIA aircraft programme.
Airbus Helicopters' CityAirbus NextGen has completed its first test flight, a significant milestone in the journey to commercialise electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Eve Air Mobility has received final airworthiness criteria from Brazil's aviation agency, advancing certification for its urban mobility aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney will test hydrogen combustion in turboprop engines through the HyADES project, collaborating with Next Hydrogen Solutions on infrastructure development.
Saudia maintains its commitment to receive Lilium's pilotless electric flying vehicles despite the manufacturer's insolvency filing.
Toyota and Joby Aviation have demonstrated their electric vertical takeoff aircraft in Japan, strengthening their partnership in future air travel development.
UrbanV and Korea Airports Corporation have agreed to develop vertiport networks, exchanging expertise to advance air mobility infrastructure.