QANTAS AND AIRBUS MAKE A COMBINED INVESTMENT IN THE AUSTRALIAN BIOFUELS INDUSTRY.

Qantas and Airbus have decided to invest roughly $200 million to help Australia build a sustainable aviation fuel [SAF] business. Due to the lack of a local commercial scale in the SAF industry, both CEOs have signed a collaboration with Australia SAF in Doha.

Australia now exports millions of tonnes of feedstock each year, including as canola and animal tallow, to be used as SAF in other nations. So, by 2030, the Qantas group has decided to utilised 10% of SAF in its entire fuel mix, which includes 15% of its current fuel use out of London and 20 million litres per year for flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Australia from 2025.

Sustainable fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% when compared to kerosene, making them one of the most useful tools for reducing environmental impact. Qantas and Airbus have agreed to collaborate on a locally developed and produced SAF project that is commercially viable and meets a strict set of environmental sustainability criteria as part of the airline’s recently announced orders, which include the A350-1000 to operate the project sunrise nonstop flight from Australia to New York and London. From the start, the new fleet will deliver up to a 25% reduction in fuel usage and carbon emissions, and they are all already approved for operating with 50% SAF.

The agreement is for a five-year period with the possibility of an extension. Qantas’ financial contribution to the Australian Sustainable Aviation Fuel Partnership includes AU$50 million already set aside for SAF research and development in the country.

The partnership also includes Pratt & Whitney, whose GTF engines were recently picked by Qantas for their new A220 and A320neo family aircraft. While consistently improving the effectiveness of aviation propulsion technology, the corporation supports wider usage of cleaner, alternative fuels, such as SAF.

Qantas has begun a conversation with its large corporate customers to explore their interest in using SAF offsets for their company’s flights. This information is helping to shape the design of a scheme that might be expanded to include individuals as part of Qantas’ existing offsetting programme. This new programme is scheduled to begin later this year.

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The Qantas Group’s commitment to sustainability:

1. In 2019, Qantas became the world’s second airline to commit net zero emissions by 2050.

2. The airline group is committed to a 25% reduction in emissions and 10% SAF usage in the fuel mix by 2030,              and a 60% SAF use by 2050, under the Qantas Group Climate Action Plan, which was introduced in March 2022.

3. A350s will initially be used for nonstop service between Sydney and London and Sydney and New York as                   part of the Qantas Group’s landmark Project Sunrise programme, which will be carbon neutral from the                       beginning.

4.With a focus on high integrity initiatives in Australia and abroad, Qantas’ Fly Carbon Neutral programme is one          of the world’s largest airline offsetting programme. Over 10% of travellers decided to “select the box” to offset          flights. In Qantas’ efforts to reduce carbon emissions, offsetting is a crucial tool, especially because alternative            aeroplane fuel technology has been years away.

5.With the introduction of the Qantas Green Tier earlier this year, the 14 million frequent flyers of the airline may            now earn rewards for going greener both at home and while they are travelling.

     Airbus climate action plan;

1. The manufacturer’s climate action plan’s main pillars are on replacing the fleet with new, fuel-efficient aircraft,             increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuels, improving air traffic management, and ultimately delivering                 zero- emission aircraft by 2035.

2.When compared to prior generation aircraft, Qantas’s choice of Airbus aircraft already results in fuel savings up           to 25%.

3. Airbus commercial aircraft are already certified to fly with up to 50% SAF.

4.The creator conducted its maiden test flight using 100% SAF in 2021.

5.Airbus plans to have SAF approved for use on all of its current commercial aircraft by 2030.

6.The possible use of synthetic fuels that blend carbon feedstock’s with renewable hydrogen is a topic of further          studies. Airbus is completely committed to taking the lead in helping the aviation industry become carbon                  neutral by 2050.

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