It was a first for sustainable aviation fuel this week as a 100 percent SAF trans-Atlantic test flight flew from London to New York. Virgin Atlantic says its flight to New York’s JFK International Airport was powered by fuel from plant sugars and waste fats and emitted 70 percent less carbon than oil-based jet fuel.
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper says this week’s 100 percent SAF flight from London to New York was a milestone for the ethanol industry.
Some in the media have dismissed the Virgin Atlantic SAF flight as a ‘stunt’ since standard jet engines aren’t designed for pure SAF, but Cooper says he disagrees.
SAF is considered a “drop-in” fuel that can extend standard jet fuel.
Separately, the ethanol industry is hailing Iowa’s filing of a motion for summary judgment to force EPA to finalize its rule, already more than a year late, to allow Iowa and six other Midwestern states to sell E15 year-round.
