South African Airways and Mango recently operated Africa’s first commercial passenger flights using a sustainable jet fuel blend. The flights, conducted last month to coincide with Boeing’s 100th anniversary, carried 300 passengers from Johannesburg (JNB) to Cape Town (CPT) on Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The aircraft burned a fuel blend that included 30 percent biofuel produced from a nicotine-free tobacco plant.
Musa Zwane, CEO of South African Airways, said the initiative demonstrates the airline’s commitment to a sustainable future: “SAA is committed to a sustainable future and this flight highlights the bold steps we are taking to protect and preserve our environment while creating opportunities for the economic development of our people. We are pleased to join the ranks of global airlines who have made a commitment to a better and cleaner way of flying.”
Miguel Santos, managing director for Africa at Boeing International, noted the symbolic timing. “It is fitting that on our 100-year anniversary we are flying on fuels that not only power the flight, but ensure a sustainable future for our industry. This project is a great example of environmental stewardship that delivers economic and health benefits to South Africa,” he said.
The achievement follows several years of collaboration. Boeing and SAA began working on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development three years ago, and two years ago Project Solar demonstrated the conversion of plant seed oil into bio-jet fuel. For these flights, the biofuel was sourced from a certified sustainable farm in South Africa.
Last month, the partners also announced a new initiative aimed at establishing a long-term domestic supply of sustainable fuel for SAA and other regional users. The initiative seeks to expand local production capacity and foster a sustainable supply chain that supports both environmental goals and regional economic development.
