Incredible innovation at Wizz Air: plane fuelled with waste oils took off

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend testing began by Mol, Wizz Air and Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Hungary. Wizz Air is ready to further lower its emission rates.

On 10 May, the first commercial Wizz Air flight using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) took off to Paris, MTI reports. The fuel mixture was supplied by Mol and the Finnish company Neste.

According to napi.hu, three aircraft were fuelled with a total of 23.5 tonnes of a blend containing 37 percent pure SAF and 63 percent Jet A1 jet fuel. This “new generation” jet fuel being tested is made from renewable waste and residual raw materials. It is also produced in a sustainable way. The Neste fuel is compatible with existing aircraft engines and airport infrastructure, so it does not require any investment to use it.

Napi.hu’s analysis also mentions that the use of SAF reduces carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80 percent over the life cycle of the fuel compared to fossil jet fuel.

Csaba Zsótér, Managing Director of the Mol Group’s Fuel Business Unit, said at the press conference that their strategic goal is to launch a circular economy in the region, and sustainable aviation fuel can help them achieve this.

“Our strategic goal is to kick-start the region’s circular economy and make our operations carbon neutral by 2050. We are continuously testing new technologies and developing our products to strengthen the region’s security of supply with low carbon fuels and accelerate the green transition,” Csaba Zsótér is quoted by napi.hu.

Wizz Air is ready to further lower its emissions

The Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air’s Director of Sustainability, Yvonne Moynihan, said Wizz Air has the lowest carbon emissions per passenger kilometre compared to its competitors and is continually striving to further reduce emissions.

The testing of sustainable jet fuel proves that industry collaboration is one of the most effective ways to address the challenges of climate change, she added. The airline, which has a sustainability strategy, aims to reduce its carbon emissions by a further 25 percent by 2030, said Yvonne Moynihan.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air is continuing its expansion as its close to getting the necessary permissions to fly to South Asia’s 8th most populous country.