Inverness Airport makes a step forward in its journey to net zero
Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) has made a step forward in its journey to net zero, by offering a cleaner fuel product to all flight operators.
Based at Inverness Airport the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), is a synthetic form of jet fuel derived from sustainable sources, made up from recycled materials including used fats and oils.
HIAL’s ambition is to become a net zero regional airport group and says it is committed to a continuous supply of SAF at Inverness Airport, where there is an ongoing demand. Offering life cycle carbon reductions of around 70 per cent, SAF plays a key role in the aviation sectors journey towards net zero.
HIAL’s managing director Inglis Lyon, said: “At HIAL we are committed to reducing our environmental impact. As an operator of 11 airports, it is important to work with aviation partners to decarbonise flights within Scotland and SAF will play a vital role to help meeting the Scottish Government's target to create the world's first net-zero aviation region by 2040.
“The offering at Inverness Airport takes us one step closer to meeting our sustainability goals. Making SAF available at Inverness will hopefully be a catalyst for its wider introduction across the Highlands and Islands providing those flying in and out of our airports a real the choice to support decarbonisation and sustainability goals.
The Scottish Government's minister for transport, Kevin Stewart, commented: “While it’s important to have longer term targets to achieve net zero, it’s equally important to reduce emissions today where we can.
"The introduction of a continuous supply of sustainable aviation fuel at Inverness Airport will enable aircraft flying now to lower their emissions as we work to achieve full net zero.”
The cleaner fuel product is supplied by World Fuel Services as a 35 per cent blend.
Duncan Storey, vice president of Supply Aviation Europe at World Fuel Services, said: “World Fuel Services is committed to the industry’s goal of reducing carbon emissions. Since 2015, we have delivered more than 39 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel to business and commercial aviation customers worldwide.
"Making sustainable aviation fuel available at Inverness furthers the adoption of cleaner fuels. World Fuel will continue investing in innovative solutions and expanding renewable and lower-emission fuels and energy offerings to help advance the industry on its path to net zero.”
