Dubai’s Emirates becomes world’s first to operate an A380 test flight using 100% SAF

The flight was powered by 100% SAF in one of four engines to test performance

Dubai airline Emirates completed an Airbus A380 demonstration flight last week using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), making it the first airline in the world to do so.
Emirates test flight EK2641 took off from Dubai International Airport after 11 am with one of four of the A380 jumbo jet’s engines to be powered by SAF. It returned to Dubai after 12.30 pm.
WHAT WAS THE FUEL USED?
The 100% drop-in SAF used on today’s flight includes renewable aromatics and closely mimics the characteristics of conventional jet fuel. This is the first time that drop-in SAF has been used on an A380 aircraft, with the expectation of full compatibility across the aircraft’s existing systems.

The flight carried four tonnes of SAF, comprised of HEFA-SPK provided by Neste (hydro processed esters and fatty acids synthetic paraffinic kerosene) and HDO-SAK from Virent (hydro deoxygenated synthetic aromatic kerosene).

ENOC helped to secure the neat SAF comprised of HEFA-SPK, and blended it with Sustainable Aviation Kerosene (SAK) at its facility in Dubai International Airport ahead of the demonstration, and also carried out into-plane services.