On April 13, 2021, Airbus announced it “has taken the next step” in decarbonising its industrial operations with the first flight of Beluga super-transporter using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Broughton plant in the UK.
The first flight with Airbus A300-600ST Beluga, loaded with a 35% blend of non-fossil derived fuel, from Broughton, UK marked the second Airbus European site to use sustainable fuels after Hamburg introduced SAF to its cargo activities in 2019.
“This first flight by a Beluga transporter from Broughton, partially fuelled with SAF, marks an important milestone in Airbus’ ambition to decarbonise its industrial operations,” said Tony Derrien, Sustainable Aviation Fuels Project Manager, Airbus.
BROUGHTON | Today saw the first flight of a #Beluga transporter using 35% #SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) from Hawarden Aerodrome as part of #Airbus‘ plans to decarbonise our industrial operations. pic.twitter.com/YfAet2mxnZ
— Airbus In The UK (@AirbusintheUK) April 13, 2021
The Beluga fleet operating from Broughton will initially be loaded with a 35% blend of non-fossil derived fuel, despite the fact that SAF are currently certified by regulators for up to a 50% blend.
The SAF used by Belugas are made from used sustainable feedstocks, such as cooking oil, and supplied to Airbus in Broughton and Hamburg by Air bp.
“The progressive deployment of sustainable aviation fuels at Airbus’ sites is an essential part of our decarbonisation roadmap,” added Andy Owen, Beluga Line Station Manager at Broughton.