Airbus switches Beluga airplanes to biofuel

Realizing ambitions of decarbonizing activity Airbus began to fill up specialized cargo airplanes of extra-large capacity Beluga used in production chain of European aviation company with biofuel.

First airplane Beluga on clean fuel was made these days from Airbus plant in Broughton (Great Britain). Plant located in North Wales that uses Beluga airplanes for transportation of the wing panels of the airplanes produced here to the lines of final assembly work to Toulouse, Hamburg and Bremen became second production location of Airbus in Europe where Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) is used. For the first time for all-cargo service eco-fuel was used in 2019 in Hamburg.

“Combined with our ongoing research into the potential for 100% SAF in commercial flights, reducing fossil-fuels in our own operations underlines Airbus’ commitment to lessening the impact of our manufacturing footprint and contributing towards a more sustainable future for the aviation sector more generally.”, – Tony Derrien, Airbus Sustainable Aviation Fuels project manager.

At present moment for commercial flights is used use of 50% mixture of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and kerosene. Fleet of Beluga airplanes that makes flights from Broughton at the first stage will fill up with the mixture with only 35% of alternative furl types included, however even this will help to reduce CO2 emissions by 400 tones in the nearest 3 months.

Fuel made of renewable bio sources that is used by Beluga fleet is made of sustainable raw materials such as vegetable oil and is delivered to Airbus in Broughton and Hamburg by Air BP company.

Andy Owen, Airbus line station manager in Broughton, marked: “The progressive deployment of sustainable aviation fuels at Airbus’ sites is an essential part of our decarbonization roadmap.”