Virgin Australia, Qatar Airways team up with RDA for EtJ facility in Australia

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways have announced their partnership with Renewable Developments Australia (RDA) to establish an ethanol-to-jet facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Charters Towers Region of North Queensland.

“Working together with industry partners and government to establish a domestic SAF industry in Australia will be essential – not only to achieve these shared emissions goals, but to strengthen Australia’s liquid fuel security by reducing reliance on global supply chains and creating new, secure, jobs for those living in regional Australia,” said Christian Bennett, chief corporate affairs officer Virgin Australia.

The facility is expected to produce up to 96m litres of SAF annually which will be supplied to nearby airports. Early modelling indicates a potential lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 70% compared to conventional jet fuel.

“We are proud to be working with two globally recognised airlines that share our vision of creating a domestic supply of SAF. This project is designed to deliver real, long-term emission reductions while building a new industry in regional Queensland,” said Tony D’Alessandro, managing director at Renewable Developments Australia.

The facility will use PureSAF technology supplied from KBR, while also generating all of the project’s energy requirements from renewable sources.

“This initiative is a testament to the opportunity Qatar Airways Group’s investment in Virgin Australia provides, not just for the two airlines, but in the Australian national interest. Qatar Airways is committed to meeting its environmental obligations and partnerships such as ours with Virgin Australia will be crucial to that,” said a Qatar Airways spokesperson.

Earlier this week, Virgin Australia entered in a partnership with energy firm Viva Energy to purchase SAF for the airline’s flights from the Proserpine, Queensland between March to July of 2025.