Currently, most commercial aircraft run a 50/50 blend of conventional and sustainable aviation fuels. However, Boeing, one of the largest manufacturers of commercial airplanes in the world, has promised that it will certify its aircraft to run on more eco-friendly fuels in the future. The manufacturer explained that making the shift to sustainable fuels is the “safest and most measurable solution to reduce aviation carbon emissions in the coming decades.”
Boeing’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Chris Raymond, issued a statement saying: “With a long history of innovation in sustainable aviation fuels, certifying our family of airplanes to fly on 100% sustainable fuels significantly advances Boeing’s deep commitment to innovate and operate to make the world better. Sustainable aviation fuels are proven, used every day, and have the most immediate and greatest potential to reduce carbon emissions in the near and long term when we work together as an industry.”
Commercial aviation is responsible for a large chunk of the world’s carbon emissions. Hence, reducing their carbon footprint has become a long-term goal for manufacturers and airlines alike. One way to do that is with sustainable aviation fuels that are made from vegetable oil, animal fats, agricultural waste, and non-recyclable household waste, among other things.
Boeing has tested aircraft running just on sustainable fuel before. In 2008, a FedEx 777 Freighter became the first plane to fly on a sustainable blend under the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program.
Regulations at the moment, however, dictate that planes can only use up to a 50/50 blend of conventional and sustainable fuels. This may mean that manufacturers will also have to do multiple tests in order to show authorities that aircraft can safely fly on a 100% sustainable fuel blend.
Boeing has been recording operating losses of late, and has also come under investigation for two fatal crashes of its new 737 Max aircraft that killed 346 people. Stock price for the aircraft giant stood at $ 205.84 in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) when markets closed on January 25. It is unclear what response this news will meet in the market, but it will certainly bring some positivity to a brand name that has been marred with negative press in the last few years.
