In Sweden, TUI Nordic, the Nordic arm of Germany-headed global travel and tourism major TUI Group, has received the first-ever Boeing 737 MAX aircraft delivery flight on biojet fuel blend. "Seeing the Nordic countries are at the forefront of sustainable development, it is very fitting that our very first MAX flight on biojet fuel touched ground here," said David Burling, Member of the TUI Group Executive Board, responsible for airlines, and Alex Huber, Managing Director of TUI Nordic.
The delivery flight from Boeing’s manufacturing facility in Seattle, the United States to Stockholm, Sweden was performed with 30 percent blend of biojet fuel. This was one of the most carbon-efficient flights ever accomplished by this aircraft type.
The 737 MAX 8 was the second delivery of this aircraft to the global travel and tourism major, this time to TUI Nordic. One month ago the TUI Group welcomed it’s very first 737 MAX 8 at TUI Belgium in Brussels. Both aircraft are the initial deliveries of a large fleet renewal at TUI Airlines.
Well received aircraft model
The immensely successful 737 MAX is considered the “latest in aviation technology” amongst commercial airlines. TUI is the first European charter carrier to take delivery of the aircraft type, which has 14 percent lower kerosene consumption and therefore 14 percent lower carbon emissions compared to the aircraft of this size previously operated by TUI fly.
The aircraft has also a 40 percent lower noise footprint supporting TUI’s commitment in aviation to sustainability. TUI Group has made a significant investment in their aviation segment and ordered a total of 72 new 737 MAX 8 and 10’s to renew its narrow-body aircraft fleet by 2023 according to the current planning. Five of which are earmarked for TUI Nordic.
We are committed to collaborating on projects and partnerships that help scale up sustainable aviation fuels. Seeing the Nordic countries are at the forefront of sustainable development, it is very fitting that our very first MAX flight on biojet fuel touched ground here, said David Burling, Member of the TUI Group Executive Board, responsible for airlines, and Alex Huber, Managing Director of TUI Nordic.
Sustainable aviation fuel strategy
According to the company, a more sustainable approach to aviation is an important part of its long-term sustainability strategy – Better Holidays, Better World. TUI aims to operate Europe’s most carbon efficient airlines and reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by a further 10 percent by 2020.
TUI is currently looking into suppliers in the Nordics as well as in Europe and is in the process of developing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) strategy.
Biojet fuel represents a significant opportunity for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint and achieving its environmental goals. Our collaboration with TUI in 2015 on the Boeing ecoDemonstrator Program included testing of biofuel and this 737 MAX delivery flight is a further demonstration of TUI’s interest in bringing price competitive biofuel to market, said Sean Newsum, Director of Environmental Strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
By the end of 2018, a total of nine 737 MAX 8 will be delivered to the airlines of TUI Group. These aircraft will be operated by TUI in Belgium, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The first 737 MAX for TUI fly Germany is scheduled to be delivered in early 2019.
The first commercial flight for TUI Nordic’s new 737 MAX is scheduled for March 4 – from Stockholm to Tenerife.
