Heathrow – G7 and The Aviation Club

Next Friday (11 June) sees the start of the G7 Summit at the Carbis Bay (eco) Hotel near St Ives in Cornwall.
(See BTN 27 January). 

Sustainable aviation is likely to be amongst the topics discussed although this will gain a higher profile later in the year at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow 1–12 November.

With these events in mind Heathrow has confirmed an agreement with Vitol Aviation and Neste, to become the first UK major airport to successfully integrate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into its fuel distribution, effective last week.

Parmjit Dhanda, Executive Director, Back Heathrow, said: “For the first time today sustainable aviation fuel made from renewable waste – like used cooking oil and animal fat – will be incorporated into fuel for jet planes at a major British airport. This is a first for the UK and we hope other airports will follow Heathrow’s example and help lead the way to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The supply, equivalent for fuel needed to power between 5–10 short-haul flights, aims to serve as proof of concept to enable much greater use of SAF going forward.

Achieving this milestone is a critical first step in demonstrating to government that the technology will work in reducing carbon from aviation so long as the correct policy framework to incentivise take-up at scale is achieved.

Vitol Aviation’s expertise in the specialist handling of jet fuel will be combined with Neste’s market-leading SAF production capabilities. Neste MY SAF is produced 100% from renewable and sustainable waste and residue raw materials. Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel in its neat form and over the life cycle, reduces up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil jet fuel use.

Following the G7 Conference, the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom is hosting a webinar taking place Monday 14 June 13:00).  The speaker will be Emma Gilthorpe, Chief Operating Officer, Heathrow Airport, who in March was appointed CEO of the Government’s Jet Zero Council.  Gilthorpe may well be in a position to comment on the G7 and any discussions published to do with climate change and sustainable aviation.  See BTN 31 May – Aviation Club.

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OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Frank Fuller, St Ives

As a Cornwall resident I find it ridiculous that I cannot connect over Heathrow to the rest of the World except for a short summer period. Are the local MP’s and the Council deaf to our needs. In years gone by we had excellent services to the old T1 from airlines gobbled up by British Airways.

Jill Thomas, Helston

Strange place Newquay. You can’t even fly to Heathrow at this time. BA first flight is 29 July and then only for a limited period, and the times are poor. Surely the Council can a persuade one of the airlines who operate from the regions to come in with a year-round service.