In the journey for a more sustainable future, the aviation industry is turning to innovative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. One such solution is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a game-changer in the world of aviation. SAF is a renewable aviation fuel produced from renewable resources such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and non-food crops.
SAF’s importance cannot be overstated. It offers a viable path to achieving the aviation industry’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, reducing carbon emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle. SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel to approved maximum blend rates and can be used in existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure without modification – making the transition seamless.
In a significant development, Viva Energy has partnered with Virgin Australia to supply SAF for flights departing from Proserpine, Queensland. This collaboration, running from March to July 2025, marks a crucial step in integrating SAF into regular flight operations. The SAF provided by Viva Energy consists of a blend of Jet A1 fuel and a 30-40% synthetic component derived from waste and residue feedstocks. This blend meets all regulatory and safety requirements, ensuring that it can be used without any disruptions to flight operations.
SAF represents a critical long-term opportunity for reducing carbon emissions in commercial aviation. Virgin Australia’s collaboration with Viva Energy is seen as a pivotal move towards making SAF more affordable and accessible, which is essential for achieving the lowest cost carbon abatement while maintaining the vital role of aviation in connecting communities.
Viva Energy’s commitment to sustainable aviation extends beyond this partnership. The company has secured funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), an independent government agency in Australia that manages renewable energy programs and investments, to develop SAF infrastructure to supply Brisbane Airport. This $2.39 million funding will be used to refurbish and upgrade existing infrastructure, including reconditioning a fuel storage tank at the Pinkenba Terminal in Queensland. This tank will provide dedicated storage for SAF, facilitating its distribution to Brisbane Airport via pipeline.
The project also includes the implementation of a book-and-claim system, enabling customers to trade sustainability certificates and claim the environmental benefits of SAF. This innovative approach will provide critical learnings for the broader industry, helping to establish a robust SAF supply chain and reducing barriers to the adoption of SAF in Australia.
Nick Adams, Viva Energy’s General Manager for Aviation, says that SAF will play an increasingly significant role for commercial airlines as they move towards a more sustainable future.
Partnerships like the one between Viva Energy and Virgin Australia, along with the support from ARENA, underscore the critical role that SAF will play in the future of aviation. These initiatives not only demonstrate the feasibility of SAF but also pave the way for its broader adoption, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation industry. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, these are the collaborations and innovations that will be essential to drive the transition to a cleaner future.
SAF – where mentioned in the article refers to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which is a synthetic blending component that is blended with conventional Jet A-1 fuel to produce SAF Blend Jet A1. The maximum blend rate percentage in the final product is set and approved by the relevant annex in the ASTM D7566 standard and subsequently blended with conventional jet fuel and certified to ASTM D1655 (or Defence Standard 91-091) and is supplied as a conventional Jet A-1 fuel.