Flights as a global transport have seen a serious surge in the past decade, and rightly so. But every time an aircraft takes off, it burns thousands of litres of jet fuel, releasing carbon dioxide and other emissions that contribute to climate change. As the aviation industry actively is looking for more sustainable alternatives, a South African company has now begun supplying SAF made partly from used cooking oil, offering an alternative to the harmful jet fuel, to fly to Antarctica.
In a recent move, Sasol, a South African company that produces fuels and chemicals, has turned to an eco-friendly alternative to jet fuels. They have signed a commercial contract with tourism operator White Desert that hosts trips to Antarctica. Now travellers flying from Cape Town to Antarctica will soon be able to make the journey on flights powered partly by sustainable aviation fuel made from used cooking oil. The initiative is at its starting phase and thus only includes luxury trips to the icy continent.
As of now there are no reports of whether there will be any changes in the ticket prices. As a whole, a trip to Antarctica weighs on the expensive side of the scale, considering the nature of the package and destination. Reports suggest that this company’s packages include one-day trips priced at USD 16,500 and seven-day journeys costing up to USD 120,000.
The White Desert operates once every week taking passengers to one of the most sensitive areas in the world. The use of SAF here is even more crucial because of the climatic conditions in the continent.
What is SAF?
SAF stands for sustainable aviation fuel, which is a cleaner alternative to traditional jet fuel. It is made from renewable waste and alternative materials to reduce air pollution. The contents of it includes bio oil, used cooking oil and animal fat waste. In aviation, it is mixed with regular jet fuel at levels between 10% and 50% before use
What happens when we use cooking oil in jet fuel?
The emission of CO2 drastically reduces but of course does not totally stop. The US Department of Energy estimated that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made from used cooking oil can achieve around 80% lifecycle for greenhouse-gas reduction, although the actual reduction depends on how the fuel is produced, transported and processed.
Which countries are using SAF?
Repurposing used cooking oil as jet fuel is not a new concept. Countries like Japan, Amsterdam, and China, among others, have long taken this initiative. At an individual level many households and restaurants in Japan take this responsibility solely on themselves and save cooking oil, however much they can, to help with the change in the environment.
Has India adopted SAF?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced earlier this year that India is preparing itself to adopt SAF and will be introducing it to commercial airlines by 2027.
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