Qantas receives largest SAF import at Sydney Airport
Australian flag carrier Qantas said it has received the largest-ever shipment of 2m litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) this week at Sydney Airport.
“Today’s announcement is a proud moment for Qantas and demonstrates the demand that exists for more sustainable travel. As the national carrier, we have a role to play in reducing the impact of air travel on the environment, but we can’t do it alone,” said Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Group CEO.
The SAF purchase was supported by Sydney Airport, Ampol and Qantas’ SAF Coalition Partners.
The fuel was imported by Ampol from Malaysia to its Kurnell facility on Wednesday 7 May and is currently being blended with conventional aviation fuel before testing and certification so that it can be distributed into the Sydney airport supply chain.
“Sydney Airport accounts for nearly 40% of Australia’s total aviation fuel uplift, so we have a big opportunity to be a leader in the development of a domestic SAF industry,” said Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO.
It will then be used on flights departing from Sydney Airport over the coming weeks.
Once blended at a ratio of approximately 18%, the fuel could power the equivalent of 900 flights from Sydney to Auckland on Qantas and Jetstar’s 737 aircraft.
Qantas said the import of SAF demonstrates the capability of Ampol and Sydney Airport’s existing infrastructure to handle SAF.
Qantas established the SAF Coalition in 2023 which consists of 15 leading Australian and global companies, all supporting the use of SAF at scale to help reduce their air travel and freight emissions, further demonstrating the demand for SAF that exists across industries.
Earlier this year, Qantas and Airbus joined forces with a significant AUD$15m ($9m) investment in venture capital fund focused on climate solutions Climate Tech Partners (CTP).
The investment will help CTP accelerate the development and commercialisation of SAF and other crucial decarbonization technologies within the aviation industry.