British Airways is investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technology via LanzaJet using sustainably sourced ethanol.

The partnership will see British Airways invest in LanzaJet’s first commercial scale Freedom Pines Fuels facility in Georgia, US and acquire cleaner burning sustainable aviation fuel from the plant. It expects the fuel to be available to power a number of its flights by the end of 2022. In addition, the partnership will involve LanzaJet implementing early-stage planning and design for a potential commercial facility for British Airways in the UK.

The plant in Georgia is due to begin construction this year and will convert sustainable ethanol into sustainable aviation fuel that could deliver a reduction of more than 70 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuel.

The development and use of sustainable aviation fuels is a major focus for British Airways and forms part of the airline’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through a series of short, medium and long-term initiatives. The airline also has an existing partnership with sustainable fuels technology company Velocys, with the goal of building a facility to convert household and commercial waste into renewable sustainable jet fuel in the UK. Fuel could be produced by 2025. British Airways’ parent company, International Airlines Group, will be investing US$400m in sustainable aviation fuel in the next 20 years.

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