Cebu Pacific tests sustainable aviation fuel on Singapore-Manila flight

SINGAPORE — Budget carrier Cebu Pacific on Wednesday tested sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on a commercial passenger flight from Singapore to Manila.

The airline’s maiden SAF flight was operated with an Airbus A321neo (new engine option) using 35% blended SAF.

“SAF will help the aviation industry reduce its carbon emissions,” said Cebu Pacific chief strategy officer Alex Reyes.

“We encourage more producers to increase the supply of SAF in the region. Our first passenger flight using SAF is a culmination of months of cooperation with valued partners and is an important component of our sustainability program."

On Tuesday, Cebu Pacific signed a memorandum of understanding with Shell Aviation. Shell Aviation will supply 25,000 metric tons of SAF to Cebu Pacific for a period of five years. 
 
SAF is a “drop-in” replacement for fossil fuels made up of 100% renewable waste and raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. 

Using SAF results in up to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions over the fuel's life cycle. 

The chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, and these can be safely mixed with regular jet fuel to varying degrees. 

SAF does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance or maintenance.

Cebu Pacific also used SAF in May on a delivery flight of a brand new A330neo from France to the Philippines. 

The airline will use SAF in all future Airbus NEO deliveries as part of its sustainability initiatives.

The carrier is scheduled to take delivery of one more A33Oneo in November and one A320neo aircraft in December. 

Cebu Pacific aims to transition to an all-NEO fleet by 2028 and incorporate the use of blended SAF for its entire commercial network by 2030. 

The airline’s sustainability goal is aligned with global aviation’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. —VBL, GMA News
 
NOTE: This story was produced during the Philippine media's visit to Singapore sponsored by Cebu Pacific.