This week, Air New Zealand made strides in its commitment to sustainability by receiving its first shipment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into Wellington, marking a significant step towards its net zero carbon emissions goal by 2050.
The SAF, supplied by Exxon Mobil and manufactured by EcoCeres in China from 100% used cooking oil, totaled 500,000 litres. This quantity is equivalent to powering 165 flights on an A320 aircraft between Auckland and Wellington, offering an impressive reduction in life-cycle carbon emissions by at least 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.
Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, emphasized the urgent need to shift away from fossil fuels. “As the main driver of climate change, the global economy, including New Zealand, must rapidly transition away from our high reliance on fossil fuels. For a small island nation in the South Pacific, alternatives are even more important because we are heavily reliant on flying to connect with each other in our own country, as well as when we travel abroad. Aviation also plays a very important role supporting New Zealand’s trade and tourism sectors,” said Ms. Hannifin.
She further stressed the critical nature of this transition for the country’s economic activities. “To keep doing all these activities which enrich our country’s economy we must act as quickly as we can to transition to a lower-carbon future. At the moment, SAF is the key way aviation will move towards this,” Hannifin added, highlighting the proactive steps being taken by Air New Zealand to integrate SAF into their operations.
The airline is also preparing for future regulations, with requirements to uplift SAF starting from 2026 on flights returning from Singapore and Vancouver. Additionally, countries like Japan have set mandates for SAF usage beginning in 2030, with Australia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and China also signaling similar mandates for airlines on outbound flights.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts noted the significant role of transport energy, which accounts for 18 percent of New Zealand’s total emissions. “It is encouraging to see the industry take steps towards sustainable practices as New Zealand transitions to a low emissions future,” said Minister Watts.
Despite these advancements, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that SAF production is projected to triple in 2024, yet it will only meet 0.53 percent of the total aviation fuel needs. Air New Zealand is actively engaged in two feasibility studies exploring opportunities for local production of alternative jet fuels.
The latest SAF shipment will be utilized in Air New Zealand’s ATR aircraft, signaling a shift towards integrating sustainable practices within the existing aviation infrastructure, without the need for significant modifications. This development not only underscores Air New Zealand’s dedication to environmental stewardship but also highlights the growing global momentum around alternative fuel solutions in the aviation industry.