The Canadian aviation operator WestJet will be the first airline in the country to use sustainable aviation fuel on its flights from San Francisco to Calgary.
On Thursday, the firm announced the three-month flight program which will invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) provided by Neste MY. The program involves 40 flights over three months from San Francisco to Calgary and it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the routes by 186 tons.
Neste produces renewable diesel which is a hydrotreated vegetable oil made from cooking oil and animal fat from food industry waste. It is compatible with all diesel engines. The fuel is similar to fossil diesel but it contains no aromatics or impurities which allows it to combust at maximum efficiency and keeps the engine cleaner than other biodiesels.
During the presentation of the program, some government representatives were present including the United States Consul General Holly Waeger Monster, Member of Parliament George Chahal, and Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Sonya Savage among other stakeholders.
WestJet aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. However, the company says that access to SAF may be constrained by limited production and high costs.
The company’s fleet is among the youngest of established North American carriers and it recently announced a partnership with Boeing to buy 42 aircrafts.
This year, WestJet announced a partnership with Aero Design Labs to modify the airline’s 737-700 NG aircraft for greater reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency.
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Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer. Photo via WestJet
WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer Angela Avery said this is an integral step in decarbonizing Canada’s aviation sector and WestJet is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and driving greater awareness for the importance of a SAF ecosystem in Canada.
“Air travel is critical to the Canadian economy and for connecting Canadians across our vast country and with the rest of the world,” Avery said.
“With one of North America’s youngest fleets, as we look ahead, we have the opportunity to make Canada a leader in SAF production, creating clean energy jobs and ensuring the critical service we provide is responsible and sustainable.”
Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste added that sustainable aviation fuel is the fastest, most effective means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air travel.
“Neste is ready to play its part to support the Canadian industry’s aspirational goal of 10 per cent SAF use by 2030,” Lange said.
“We have been supplying SAF at the San Francisco International Airport since 2020. It is exciting that we are also supplying Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to WestJet at the airport, enabling passengers to lower their carbon footprint from air travel.”
