Jet2.com has announced it will integrate Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on departing flights from London Stansted Airport this year.

The move by the UK leisure airline is a year ahead of the UK Government’s implementation of the SAF mandate, requiring fuel suppliers to produce a minimum of 10 per cent SAF by 2030.

The airline aims to have net zero emissions by 2050, if not sooner, to align with government targets.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: "The announcement demonstrates the tangible actions that we are taking to mitigate our climate impacts, and it means will be using a SAF blend from London Stansted in 2024, in addition to Bristol Airport. 

"We see SAF as critical in helping the industry decarbonise and we can use this to ensure our operations are ready for SAF uptake both now and in the future.

"Unfortunately, there is still some way to go and without more supplies of UK SAF and greater support to incentivise its uptake and reduce its cost, our industry and UK holidaymakers are at a disadvantage.

"The UK Government must implement the price revenue mechanism earlier than the current timeline of 2026 which means we can secure investor confidence, build the UK SAF plants that we need, and turbocharge the UK SAF industry."

Jet2.com has already purchased around 1,000 tonnes of SAF from Shell Aviation, including roughly 650 tonnes for flights leaving London Stansted.

This could reduce 'lifecycle carbon emissions' by 80 per cent when compared to traditional jet fuels.

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Neil Robinson, MAG CSR and Future Airspace Director, said: "This announcement by Jet2.com is really excellent news given the vital role SAF will play in taking carbon out of the aviation industry.

"Our focus at London Stansted is to continue driving forward on our commitment to reach net zero carbon operations by 2038, and supporting the development of more sustainable aviation fuel to help aviation reach net zero by 2050.

"Jet2.com’s introduction of SAF at Stansted is another positive development in driving down carbon emissions and we look forward to working with them to build on this great start."