By Youssef Yahya 
The aviation industry is constantly searching for ways to reduce its environmental impact, and Emirates is at the forefront of this effort with its latest ground test. The airline has successfully demonstrated that their Boeing 777-300ERs can safely operate using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a major milestone for sustainable air travel. Not only does it set a new standard for clean and efficient air transportation, but it also brings us one step closer to a greener future. Join us as we delve into the details of this exciting development and explore its potential impact on the industry.
Emirates took a major step towards sustainable air travel on January 23rd with the announcement of the successful completion of ground engine testing on one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With a potential reduction of 80% in carbon emissions over the fuel’s lifecycle, the results of this test open up exciting possibilities for increased SAF usage across the aviation industry.
The Procedure of the test
The test took place at the airline’s Engineering Centre in Dubai. To begin the testing, the aircraft’s Honeywell 331-500 auxiliary power unit (APU) was run on 100% SAF, and the APU was then used to start the GE90 engines. The left engine was put through its full power range using the same settings used for the experimental flight, including idle, take-off, and climb settings, at full flight profile durations and maximum speed and intensity.
The engine data has been collected and will be analyzed, compared, and reviewed to pave the way for an experimental flight using 100% SAF in one engine. Emirates is moving quickly with its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives, as an experimental flight using 100% SAF in one engine is set to take off in the coming days. The in-flight tests will provide valuable insights into the behavior of the fuel system while burning 100% SAF and will be compared to data collected from the aircraft’s other engine, which will be using conventional jet fuel. This information will be analyzed by the airline and its partners to better understand the performance of SAF and to inform future decisions on its usage in the industry.
Emirates and SAF
Emirates has shown a continued commitment to sustainable aviation since its first flight powered by a blend of SAF and jet fuel in 2017. This commitment was further demonstrated at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, where the airline signed a Memorandum of Understanding with GE Aerospace and Boeing to develop a program for conducting a test flight using 100% SAF on a Boeing 777-300ER powered by GE90 engines. The airline has been working closely with various partners, including GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste, and Virent, on SAF fuel blend testing, with Emirates playing the key role of using the test fuel in a real-world scenario.
READ ALSO: EgyptAir Completes First Commercial Flight Powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Sources:
- Featured Image by Emirates
Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’
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Mohammed Rizwan