British Airways has partnered with sustainable-fuel developer Velocys to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across its fleet over the coming decade.
The collaboration centers on building a network of waste-to-fuel facilities that will convert household and municipal waste into renewable jet fuel for the airline.
Each plant is designed to process hundreds of thousands of tons of waste annually. British Airways says the initial project, still in the planning stages, would generate enough SAF to power a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on flights from London (LHR) to San Jose, California (SJC) for an entire year.
The airline expects fuel produced by these facilities to lower greenhouse gas emissions by about 60 percent compared with conventional fossil jet fuel. The move supports its broader goal of cutting net emissions by 50 percent by 2050 through a mix of modern aircraft, operational improvements and alternative fuels.
“Sustainable fuels will play an increasingly critical role in global aviation, and we are preparing for that future,” said Willie Walsh, CEO of IAG. “Turning household waste into jet fuel is an important innovation that produces cleaner fuel while reducing landfill. From developing efficient operating techniques to investing in modern aircraft, we have a strong track record in identifying and implementing ways to reduce emissions. This partnership continues that tradition and demonstrates our investment in a more sustainable future for our customers.”