In Sweden, Braathens Regional Airlines (BRA), and the French-Italian turbo propeller (turboprop) aircraft manufacturer Avions de Transport Regional (ATR) have signed an agreement that they, together with the Finland-head oil refiner and renewable fuel producer Neste Oyj, will carry out certification for the use 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in ATR turboprop flights. The first test flight is already planned for the first quarter of 2022.
The initiative is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional fossil aviation fuels.
We have set high goals, we are currently in the process of defining the roadmap towards becoming one of the world’s first airlines to reach net-zero and our target year is 2030. It is absolutely crucial for the future of aviation that we reduce our climate footprint. Here we can be a role model and put on the leader jersey, said Ulrika Matsgård, CEO of BRA.
In a project, the Swedish military has already flown a Gripen C/D fighter jet on 100 percent SAF and there have also been other test flights – a handful in the world – so it is possible. But it has never been done with a turbo propeller (turboprop) type of aircraft before.
BRA performs all its flights, the majority of which are short-haul domestic flights, with turboprop aircraft from ATR. According to BRA, ATR’s turboprops are the most fuel-efficient on the market as it uses 40 percent less fuel and thus emits up to 40 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than comparable aircraft.
If all regional aircraft were replaced in Sweden with ATR’s turboprop aircraft, it would reduce aviation emissions by 32 000 tonnes. The fact that the turboprop plan draws less fuel means that they are a good combination as SAF is still 4-5 times as expensive as fossil fuel.
We see BRA as the perfect airline partner to carry out this project with. They are a company that is committed and works for a more sustainable flight. They move the boundaries. BRA has a history of being consistent first among the airlines that implement changes to reduce the climate footprint of their flights. In addition to being part of the world’s first deal for a green-funded aircraft with us, they were also the first airline to offer its passengers the choice of SAF in their booking system. We are proud to be with BRA also on the next step on their journey and we are confident that this will also prove to be an important step for a reduced climate footprint for aviation, said Stefano Bortoli, CEO of ATR.
Gain certification as SAF becomes available
With their investment, ATR, BRA, and Neste want to accelerate the development of fossil-free aviation. Current regulations allow up to a 50 percent blending of SAF in aviation fuel.
That the use of 100 percent SAF has not previously been certified is due to the fact that production in the world has been so low that it has not been relevant. The level would not have even covered Sweden’s needs.
In the coming years, production is expected to increase significantly, and Neste is one manufacturer that is ramping up SAF capacity. As global SAF output increases, now is the time to start working on getting certification for 100 percent SAF use.
We are delighted to be part of the 100 percent SAF project. We see it as an important step towards the certification of 100 percent SAF usage, Jonathan Wood, VP Europe, Renewable Aviation at Neste.
The companies aim to carry out a test flight with a BRA flight fueled with 100 percent SAF in one engine and a 50 percent SAF blend in the other engine in the spring of 2022. The estimated carbon emission reduction for such a flight is 64 percent. At 100 percent SAF in both engines, the expected reduction is as much as 82 percent.
