News
Air New Zealand and government join forces on sustainable aviation fuel
September 28th 2021
Air New Zealand (Air NZ) and the nation’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) are inviting “leaders in innovation” to demonstrate the feasibility of operating a commercial sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in New Zealand. Read More » The parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to run a closed request for proposal process for a sustainable aviation fuels plant. Government participation is seen as critical to developing SAF. Air NZ chief operational integrity and safety officer, David Morgan, described the MBEI partnership as a positive and important step for production of the alternative fuels in New Zealand. “Sustainable Aviation Fuel is critical to aviation decarbonisation and can reduce aviation emissions by more than 80%,’’ Morgan said. “But we can’t do it alone. Air New Zealand and MBIE have a shared interest in developing a SAF supply chain in New Zealand. We are confident this process will bring us one step closer to it being a reality.” SAF made from waste material such as cooking oils or landfill waste can produce life cycle carbon reductions of more than 80% compared with traditional jet fuel. However, SAF accounts for less than 1% of global aviation fuel use. Air NZ has argued strongly that producing SAF locally will help lower New Zealand's emissions, reduce waste and create jobs and economic opportunities for regional communities.
Meanwhile, the airline said earlier today it will add 31 “red” quarantine flights on Australian routes for customers wanting to return from Australia before December 31. The red flights will sit alongside quarantine-free “green” flights, available in December, until the New Zealand Government decides whether to reduce border restrictions with Australia at the end of November or extend them.
