Emirates inks SAF supply agreement: The UAE’s national carrier Emirates has signed an offtake agreement with Finnish oil refining firm Neste for 3 mn gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to fuel upcoming flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Singapore’s Changi airports, according to a statement.

More details: The agreement — which Emirates says is the largest ever of its kind by a MENA and Africa-based airline — will see the carrier source the SAF from Neste over two phases in 2024 and 2025. This is in line with the EU’s binding requirement to have suppliers in its jurisdiction ensure that 2% of the fuel accessible at EU airports is SAF by 2025, rising to 6% in 2030, 20% in 2035, and 70% in 2050. The blended SAF will be made up of 1 mn gallons of neat SAF produced from biomass materials. SAFs produce 80% less carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuels, the statement notes.

Not Emirates’ first collaboration with Neste: Emirates completed MENA’s first SAF-powered demonstration flight using 100% SAF sourced from Neste back in January. The flight departed from Dubai International Airport and lasted over an hour, paving the way for SAF certification as a viable green fuel for air traffic. Current certification standards only allow for a 50-50 blend of SAFs and conventional fuel. The flight came a week after the airline successfully completed ground engine testing.

Not Emirate’s first SAF supply agreement this month: Earlier in October, Emirates signed an agreement with Shell Aviation for a 300k gallon supply of SAF for use at its hub in Dubai International Airport. The agreement will see the first SAF delivery taking place before year’s end, marking the first time SAF will be supplied via the airport’s fuelling system.