A consortium of plane marker ATR, fuel maker Neste and airline Braathens said today they had made the first-ever flight with 100% sustainable fuel in both engines on a commercial aircraft.
The test flight took place in Sweden as part of the 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) certification process of ATR aircraft.
Flights had already taken place with one engine using sustainable fuel, but this was the first with both engines.
Chief ATR pilot Cyril Cizabuiroz, Jean-Pierre Marre, co-pilot, and Pascal Daussin, Flight Test Mechanic, flew the Braathens' aircraft from Malmo to Bromma near Stockholm, a journey that took around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
ATR’s chief executive Stefano Bortoli, said: "Today is a historic day for aviation. After more than a century of commercial flights powered by kerosene, we are at the dawn of a new era.
“The flight represents a true milestone for the entire aviation industry as it shows that this technology works and can be promptly adopted by many in our industry to speed up the transition to low emission aviation."
Aircraft lessor Avation also welcomed the announcement.
Jeff Chatfield, executive chairman, said: "Avation owns 28 purchase rights over new future delivery ATR72-600 aircraft.
“Avation believes the sustainable aviation fuel is important because CO2 emissions are reduced by up to 80% compared to non-sustainable jet fuel.”
Lessor Avation also announced it has appointed Michael Dela as its Head of Technical.