British Airways Takes Delivery of Their First Batch of SAF Produced by Phillips 66 Limited

British Airways has taken delivery of their first batch of SAF from Phillips 66 Limited, becoming the world’s first airline to use SAF produced on a commercial scale in the UK. The fuel is produced at the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery near Immingham.

British Airways to Power a Number of Flights With SAF as They Mark the Delivery of Their First Supply From Phillips 66 Limited - Courtesy British Airways

On Monday (March 28, 2022), British Airways announced that they have taken delivery of their first batch of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Phillips 66 Limited, which will be used to power a number of flights. Following a multi-year agreement with Phillips, British Airways becomes the world’s first airline to use SAF produced on a commercial scale in the UK. The fuel is being produced at the Phillips 66 Humber refinery near Immingham and is made from sustainable waste feedstock. British Airways will add the sustainable fuel into the existing pipeline infrastructure that directly feeds several UK airports, including London Heathrow. The fuel purchased by the carrier is enough to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions by nearly 100,000 tonnes, enough to power 700 net-zero CO2 emissions Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights between London and New York.

In today’s announcment, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, Sean Doyle, said,

“Being the first airline to source sustainable aviation fuel produced at commercial scale in the UK is another breakthrough moment for us and the airline industry. Our supplies of SAF from Phillips 66 Limited will allow us to progress with our ambitious roadmap to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner and will play a role in our commitment, as part of International Airlines Group (IAG), to power 10% of flights with SAF by 2030.

“Progressing the development and commercial scale up of sustainable aviation fuel will be a game changer and crucial to reducing the aviation sector’s reliance on fossil fuels and improving the UK’s energy supply resilience. I’m confident that Britain can take a leading role on the global stage in this space, creating green jobs and export opportunities, if industry, developers and Government continue to collaborate and make it a key focus area.”

The International Airlines Group (IAG), parent company of British Airways, is investing $400 million over the next 20 years into the development of SAF. Customers wishing to support the airline’s journey to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 can now do so via the onboard Speedbird Café menu app. Under the BA Better World tab labeled ‘Contribute to Carbon Offsets’, guests on short-haul European flights can help fund carbon reduction projects worldwide. The £2.50 contribution represents the carbon compensation of an average British Airways European return flight per customer, and the funds are invested in verified CO2 emissions reduction and avoidance projects.

Source: British Airways