WestJet Begins Using 'Sustainable' Biofuel Blend on San Francisco Route

November 03, 2022

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by Josh Aldrich (Calgary Herald) The biofuel will be blended with regular jet fuel with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions -- WestJet has launched a first-of-its-kind pilot project in Canada in an effort to lower carbon emissions on flights. -- The Calgary-based airline announced on Wednesday it has started to use sustainable aviation fuel on its San Francisco route for the next three months. The biofuel will be blended with regular jet fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by as many as 205 tonnes over the course of the trial.
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The Calgary-based airline announced on Wednesday it has started to use sustainable aviation fuel on its San Francisco route for the next three months. The biofuel will be blended with regular jet fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by as many as 205 tonnes over the course of the trial.
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The fuel is being provided by Neste, a Finnish company — one of the few worldwide that has been able to produce SAF at the quantities needed by the aviation industry. There is currently no SAF being produced in Canada for use, though there are companies and projects working on it.
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Lewis (Gareth Lewis, head of sustainability and ESG for WestJet) noted SAF can be dropped into regular fuel without needing to make any other changes to the aircraft, making it a cost-efficient transition for the airline.

The industry is currently working on refinement of SAF to increase levels of the alternative in the blend from the maximum of 50-50, ultimately with the goal of 100 per cent SAF. That end is still years down the road.

The move is not without expense, however, as SAF currently costs between two and six times more than regular jet fuel. For the trial, WestJet is eating the added cost, but if it expands the project beyond the trial it will be looking at different ways for the cost to be covered beyond a standard fuel surcharge.
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Geoffrey Tauvette, executive director for the Canadian Council of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, said it is looking to Ottawa to help de-risk the long-term investment in building production facilities and infrastructure. He said this could be done through some form of incentive or credit that is transparent to the market or end user. The risk is to fall behind the U.S., which has prioritized SAF production through the Inflation Reduction Act, and be put at a competitive disadvantage.
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The council includes members from more than 60 airlines in Canada and was created to accelerate the commercial production and use of Canadian-made low-carbon SAF in Canada. It has a goal of seeing 10 per cent of aviation fuel in Canada to be made up of SAF by 2030 — an ambitious target which will require co-operation on all levels.

There are local initiatives looking at SAF. SixRing Inc. announced in September that it had a partnership with the Calgary International Airport to develop the alternative fuel in Alberta, using crop and forestry waste. This process uses pressure or heat to turn feedstock into SAF as opposed to processing lipids, and has not reached the level of production for the quantities needed. WestJet is watching this development closely.

Tauvette noted there are other technologies the industry is working on, including electric planes — as announced by Air Canada earlier this year — and hydrogen fuel cells. But until the science improves, they will likely be utilized on more short-haul flights.

“Because (of) the physics of planes, you still need a pretty liquid-dense fuel to be able to provide that long-distance travel,” he said. “I think industry anticipates that SAF is going to be needed for the long-distance flights for a long time.” READ MORE

Calgary biofuel company gets $1.4 million in federal funding to scale and research new applications (Calgary Herald)

WestJet investing in the future of sustainable aviation fuel in Canada: Airline is the first Canadian operator to offer regular sustainable aviation fuel flights with three-month route commitment from San Francisco to Calgary and Flight program marks first step in building awareness of importance of sustainable aviation fuel in decarbonization of Canada's airline industry (WestJet)

WestJet commits to 3 months of SAF-fueled flights from San Francisco to Calgary (Biobased Diesel Daily)

WestJet CEO endorses widescale Canadian SAF production (WestJet/Canadian Biomass Magazine)

Excerpt from WestJet: WestJet yesterday announced a three-month commitment to operating all flights, from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Calgary International Airport (YYC) with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced by Neste, the world's leading producer of renewable fuels. The SAF Destination program, a first of its kind in Canada, underpins WestJet's commitment to sustainability and decarbonization.

"We are thrilled that WestJet will be the first Canadian air carrier to operate a dedicated flight route using SAF," said Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer. "This is an integral step in decarbonizing Canada's aviation sector and WestJet is committed to working alongside our partners to reduce our environmental footprint as we aim to drive greater awareness for the importance of a SAF ecosystem in Canada."

Joined by stakeholders from across Alberta and Calgary, including Holly Waeger Monster, U.S. Consul General, George Chahal, Member of Parliament, Calgary Skyview, Alberta, Sonya Savage, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas for the Government of Alberta, Alberta, and Lana van Marter, Manager of Renewable Aviation, Neste. WestJet used the announcement to collaborate with key industry and government partners on the benefits of sustainable aviation fuel and the need for a Canadian production program.

As the first Canadian airline to significantly invest in SAF, WestJet purchased Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to fly 40 flights over three months from San Francisco to Calgary. WestJet's immediate investment in SAF over the next three months will directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions on these routes by 186 tons, with the equivalent of more than 1550 out of 5300 guests onboard taking a carbon neutral flight enroute to Calgary.

WestJet is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. While widespread access to SAF is currently constrained by limited production and high costs, the airline's newest SAF operated route demonstrates WestJet's strong dedication to being a leader in advocating for this environmental solution that secures a future where SAF is the standard across the airline industry.

"Air travel is critical to the Canadian economy and for connecting Canadians across our vast country and with the rest of the world," continued Avery. "With one of North America's youngest fleets, as we look ahead, we have the opportunity to make Canada a leader in SAF production, creating clean energy jobs and ensuring the critical service we provide is responsible and sustainable."

"Sustainable aviation fuel is the fastest, most effective means we have to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from air travel. Neste is ready to play its part to support the Canadian industry's aspirational goal of 10% SAF use by 2030," says Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste. "We have been supplying SAF at the San Francisco International Airport since 2020. It is exciting that we are also supplying Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to WestJet at the airport, enabling passengers to lower their carbon footprint from air travel."

WestJet's fleet leading the groundwork for sustainability

The WestJet Group's fleet has an average age under 10 years and is among the youngest of established North American carriers. Strengthened by WestJet's recent announcement with Boeing to purchase an additional 42 737-10 aircraft plus 22 options, the airline continues to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to expanding responsibly.

WestJet and Aero Design Labs set out to increase fuel efficiency of Boeing 737-700 Aircraft

Earlier this year, WestJet announced a new partnership with Aero Design Labs to modify the airline's 737-700 NG aircraft for greater reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. As the largest 737NG operator in Canada, it's anticipated that the modifications will reduce overall fuel burn through drag reduction and lead to long-term cost savings and reduced carbon emissions on the 737-700 aircraft.

Additional quotes:

"WestJet's announcement is another important step towards reducing emissions in our aviation sector. Our Government is committed to ensuring that air travel continues to connect Canadians; support our economy, trade, and tourism; while also mitigating the environmental impact of aviation travel."

- The Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport

"Alberta's businesses are known for outstanding leadership when it comes to pursuing innovative technologies, and WestJet is no exception. Tapping into the vast potential of Sustainable Aviation Fuel will help decarbonize the transportation sector while cutting emissions, creating clean energy jobs, growing the economy, and creating new opportunities for the aviation industry to thrive. Congratulations to WestJet on this impressive initiative."

- Hon. Sonya Savage, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas

"The United States Government proudly celebrates the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on WestJet's direct flight between San Francisco and Calgary and supports WestJet's commitment to sustainability as it aligns with the climate objectives of both the United States and Canada. The United States will continue to support emissions reductions through legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which demonstrates that supportive policy can successfully advance decarbonization."

- Holly Waeger Monster, U.S. Consul General

About WestJet

In 26 years of serving Canadians, WestJet has cut airfares in half and increased the flying population in Canada to more than 50 per cent. WestJet launched in 1996 with three aircraft, 250 employees and five destinations, growing over the years to more than 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 110 destinations in 24 countries.

For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com. READ MORE