AFRAA
 

The Launch of the Kenya Airways Sustainable Aviation Fuel flight

 

Date: 25 May 2023

AFRAA congratulates Kenya Airways on the launch of the Kenya Airways Sustainable Flight Challenge operated on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

The flight to Amsterdam, KQ116 that departed Nairobi on 25 May was the launch of the first-ever flight by Kenya Airways in Africa to be operated on Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The launch marks the start of a long journey towards zero carbon emissions for the air transport industry.

The flight will be among another 20 flights from other Sky Team Members participating in the 2023 sustainable challenge.

AFRAA encourages all member airlines to continue improving their operations’ efficiency to achieve sustained in-sector emissions reductions and to support the transition to reliable, cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

In recognition of the need for a sustainable aviation industry and the edge to develop a Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to address the global challenge of climate change; the 54th AFRAA Annual General Assembly took a resolution on Aviation Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2050 (RES AGA 54/11). The Resolution urged all industry stakeholders to commit to addressing the environmental impact of their policies, products, and activities with concrete actions and clear timelines, specifically including:

  1. Fuel-producing companies providing large-scale, cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuels to the market;
  2. Governments and air navigation service providers eliminating inefficiencies in air traffic management and airspace infrastructure;
  3. Aircraft and engine manufacturers producing more efficient airframe and propulsion technologies; and
  4. Airport operators providing the needed infrastructure to supply SAF in a cost-competitive manner, not exceeding existing infrastructure costs.