The world’s attention is currently focused on Egypt, as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) is being held from November 6th to November 18th in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El Sheikh, EgyptAir recently operated a commercial flight fueled by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), for the first time, during a bound flight for Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH), MS800 from Charles De Gaulle (CDG).

Learn more about: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

The flight, which was operated by one of EgyptAir’s Boeing 787s (SU-GEV), is a daily flight from Paris CDG to Cairo International Airport (CAI). On this occasion, however, on Saturday the 5th of November it flew to Sharm El Sheikh instead. The plane was carrying delegates to the COP27. A water cannon salute welcomed the aircraft upon arrival after a four-hours and eleven-minute flight. EgyptAir praised the flight and said:

“Today EgyptAir witnesses a major achievement throughout its history. A commercial flight of Boeing B787-9* is operated today with sustainable biofuels from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris directly to Sharm El Sheikh Airport, carrying passengers participating in the COP27 climate conference in accordance with the goals of the United Nations in field of sustainable development.”

EgyptAir on LinkedIn

Although the flight from Paris to Sharm El Sheikh was EgyptAir’s first commercial flight using SAF, the airline set a record for the longest delivery flight using SAF in July 2019, when one of its Boeing 787-9 aircraft flew from Seattle to Cairo – a distance of 5,925 nautical miles (10,973 km).

Sustainability is a top priority for EgyptAir, as it is for many other airlines around the world. In recent years, EgyptAir has updated its fleet to include cutting-edge, fuel-efficient Airbus A220, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321neo, and Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

Sustainable aviation fuel can cut carbon emissions by up to 80%, and its use is critical to the aviation industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

It is worth noting that EgyptAir is not the only carrier using COP27 to highlight its sustainability achievements; Etihad Airways has also been transporting delegates to COP27 using SAF-powered flights from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

Sources:

• Cover Image by: Wolfgang Kaiser
• Zawya
• Simple Flying