All Nippon Airways (ANA) has operated its first domestic flights with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), produced by Neste.
The airline entered a mid-to-long-term procurement agreement with Neste in 2020 and has regularly procured SAF from the company for use on international flights from Japan.
The airline is now expanding this to domestic services. Flight NH253 from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka on November 14 marked the first domestic flight operated using mass-produced SAF.
The route is serviced by ANA’s second ‘Green Jet’, a B787 aircraft which has several sustainable-focused technologies – including a special ‘shark fin effect’ riblet film material, designed to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions through the decrease of air friction resistance during the flight.
While this jet is dedicated to domestic services, the first Green Jet is reserved for international routes and launched at the start of October on the Tokyo-San Francisco route.
ANA to launch sustainable-focused aircraft on Tokyo-San Francisco route
Shinichi Inoue, president and CEO of ANA, commented:
“To be able to use mass-produced SAF for domestic flights is an exciting step toward reducing our carbon emissions and achieving our sustainability goals.
“In addition, with the use of the ANA Green Jet on domestic routes to raise awareness of SAF with our customers and the public, ANA hopes to be a leader in the industry and inspire others to follow suit.”
The ANA Group has set a goal of replacing at least 10 per cent of its jet fuel with SAF by 2030 and also of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
ANA also has sustainable initiatives on its regular routes and aircraft, such as environmentally friendly paper cups, wooden cutlery and new inflight meals.
The ANA Group has launched several sustainable initiatives in recent months, including a resource recycling scheme with Sojitz Pla-Net Corporation whereby plastic film (polyethylene) covering air cargo is repurposed into new plastic products used by the airline.
Additionally the airline expanded its sustainable aviation fuel option to corporate travel at the start of the year.
