Kenya Airways Launches Biofuel Flights to Attract Green Investment

BREAKING: Kenya Airways Plc is launching a groundbreaking initiative to utilize homegrown sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in a bid to cut emissions and attract green investment. The Nairobi-based airline is set to operate four return flights from October 14 to October 21, 2023, primarily using a SAF blend, starting with a flight from Nairobi to Paris on October 17.

The move comes as Europe mandates airlines to incorporate at least 2% SAF in their fuel mix. The inaugural flight will utilize jet fuel blended with biofuel derived from local drought-resistant crops like croton. This initiative not only underscores Kenya Airways’ commitment to sustainability but also aims to mitigate the high costs associated with importing SAF, which can be more than double the price of conventional jet fuel.

Kenya Airways has already made history in 2023 by becoming the first African carrier to operate a long-haul flight with SAF supplied by Eni SpA from Italy. However, the airline’s CEO, Allan Kilavuka, emphasizes that relying on imported SAF is not financially viable for many African airlines, which face costs up to five times higher than conventional jet fuel due to limited local production.

Kilavuka stated, “We need to find a way to reduce SAF production costs and hopefully get subsidies from organizations or governments.” The airline plans to expand its SAF-powered flights to Amsterdam, London, and Cape Town, with the ultimate goal of increasing the SAF blend to 10% by 2030.

Hellen Mwariri, the airline’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, expressed optimism, saying, “Once we prove the concept, we believe that we’ll be able to attract green funding.” By producing SAF locally, Kenya Airways aims to unlock funding opportunities from both domestic and international investors while reducing future compliance costs with increasing SAF regulations.

The International Air Transport Association has set a target for the aviation industry to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with SAF expected to account for up to 65% of the required emission reductions. To support its demonstration flights, Kenya Airways has partnered with Bleriot Group, which is currently producing SAF on land previously used for mining operations.

Bleriot CEO Serguei Poppeleer revealed plans to scale production from approximately 28 metric tons a year at the prototype stage to meet the needs of Kenyan airlines and potentially export SAF to Europe. However, challenges remain, as the cheapest feedstock for SAF—used cooking oil—is scarce in Africa, leading producers to resort to cultivating crops for fuel, which raises concerns about food security.

Kenya Civil Aviation Authority Director General Emile Arao remarked, “The challenge has always been how to find the perfect balance.” Currently, SAF accounts for a mere 0.3% of global jet fuel demand, but growth is anticipated as regulations tighten and corporate customers seek greener options.

With the aviation industry under pressure to adapt to environmental standards, other African airlines are also exploring SAF production. Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, noted the importance of preparing for future regulations, stating, “We have to prepare the airline to use an increasing proportion of SAF-blended fuel from our home base.”

As Kenya Airways leads the charge in sustainable aviation, the world watches closely. The success of this initiative could pave the way for other African carriers to follow suit, marking a significant step towards greener skies and a more sustainable future in aviation.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.