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Alsie Express first to use SAF on domestic route in Denmark

As of May 6, 2021, flights on the route between the Danish cities Sønderborg and Copenhagen will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Alsie Express A/S is the first operator of a domestic route in Denmark to use aviation fuel made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials, helping to reduce the carbon emissions of its flights.

With a fleet of two ATR 72-500 aircraft Alsie Express services the Danish domestic route between Sønderborg and Copenhagen. In addition, the airline offers seasonal flights to the Danish island of Bornholm, Italy, Croatia, and islands in the English Channel. Managed by sister subsidiary Air Alsie A/S both are owned by Sandma Holding A/S (photo courtesy Alsie Express).

As a first-mover in the domestic flights market, the airline has launched a collaboration with Sønderborg Airport (SDG) and Danfoss, among others, to introduce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its operations.

Sønderborg Airport services passengers from across southern Denmark, including business travelers. The Airport’s voluntary initiative has been brought about by its objective to reduce the carbon footprint of flights and at the same time lead the way for more sustainable domestic flights in Denmark.

When flight no. 6I101 takes off from Sønderborg Airport (SDG) for Copenhagen Kastrup Airport (CPH), its passengers and crew will be taking part at the beginning of the transition to a more sustainable domestic aviation industry in Denmark.

The first step towards net-zero emissions

The flight marks the first step towards a future where domestic flights will gradually reduce their emissions as the use of SAF increases. The SAF will be used in the blended form and is made from sustainably sourced, renewable waste and residue raw materials.

In its neat form, SAF can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) lifecycle emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil jet fuels.

So far, air traffic here in Denmark has primarily only been able to offer carbon offset arrangements in relation to emissions. However, with the introduction of sustainable jet fuel, we can target our efforts on reducing flight emissions. This initiative is a small but very important step in the right direction towards reducing CO2 emissions from our flights, said Dennis Rybatch, CEO Alsie Express.

The SAF is being supplied by DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark, the current supplier of jet fuel to Danish airports, as part of Shell Aviation’s SAF supply agreement with Neste Oyj, the producer of SAF.

As of May 6, 2021, flights on the route between the Danish cities Sønderborg and Copenhagen will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with Alsie Express the first operator of a domestic route to use SAF (photo courtesy Alsie Express).

A joint venture between DCC Energi Holding A/S and Shell Aviation, DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark is the largest independent supplier of aviation fuels in Denmark – present in the seven busiest airports.

We’re proud to be working with DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark and Alsie Express, supporting this milestone for decarbonizing air travel in Denmark. Sustainable Aviation Fuel is crucial to the Aviation Industry reaching net-zero emissions, alongside new technologies and carbon offsetting. Today’s announcement is an example of how the domestic aviation sector can help build demand to increase the supply of SAF, commented Adam Harrison, General Manager, Shell Aviation Europe, and Africa.

According to Ulrik V. Brendstrup, DCC & Shell Aviation Denmark CEO, the Sønderborg Airport initiative sets a fine example for how air traffic in Denmark can start using SAF in the years to come.

We are pleased to work with Alsie Express and Sønderborg Airport to make flying more sustainable. These are small but important steps helping to place sustainable aviation fuel on the agenda in Denmark. While Power-to-Liquids and hydrogen offer exciting prospects for decarbonizing aviation in the future, sustainable aviation fuel is a solution that is available today that can help reduce aviation emissions and initiatives like this can help scale demand for this crucial technology, Brendstrup explained.

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