UK government sets 2023 target for first net-zero transatlantic flight

The UK government is planning to make possible the first net-zero transatlantic flight in 2023, after investing £180m in the sustainable aviation fuel sector.

This demonstration flight will be fuelled entirely by sustainable aviation fuel, which is made from household waste and used cooking oil.

Sustainable aviation fuel produces 70% less emissions than that of conventional fossil jet fuel.

The net-zero status of this demonstration flight will be achieved when sustainable aviation fuel is used in combination with greenhouse gas removals. This is because current jet fuel specifications do not allow flights to run entirely on sustainable aviation fuel.

In addition to the £180m investment into the sustainable aviation fuel sector, UK transport secretary Grant Shapps has said the government will support the testing and approval of flights to allow flights to entirely use 100% sustainable aviation fuel.

“That’s not just great news for the environment, it’s great news for passengers who will be able to visit the Big Apple without increasing damaging greenhouse gas emissions,” said Shapps.

“It’s crucial that we place sustainability at the heart of the aviation industry’s recovery from Covid-19 and I look forward to working with them on this challenge, which will lower the impact flying across the Atlantic has on the planet.”

The £180m investment will be made over the next three years, with a further £400m being provided through a government partnership with Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst programme, which drives investment into green technology providers.

The government estimates the UK’s sustainable aviation fuel industry could create up to 5,200 jobs and a further 13,600 through global experts. This would include an annual turnover of £2.3bn for the industry by 2040.

The traditional aviation fuel industry is much larger. According to Allied Market Research, the global aviation fuel market was valued at $179.2bn in size in 2018 and is expected to grow to $238.5bn by 2026.

Traditional aviation fuel is one of the largest sources of emissions, but sustainable aviation fuel has been identified as a potential solution to mitigating this.

To meet 2050 net-zero targets, research from the Air Transport Action Group estimates 330 to 445 million more tons of sustainable aviation fuel will need to be used to reduce these current emissions.

Tim Alderslade, CEO of trade body Airlines UK, said production would now need a “turbocharge” to build on current progress and build three sustainable aviation fuel plants by 2025.

“We look forward to working with ministers through the Jet Zero Council to continue to explore mechanisms to attract the required private investment – in addition to a planned mandate – so we can help deliver the government’s 10% SAF [sustainable aviation fuel] uptake goal by 2030,” he added.