Etihad to operate first zero emissions flight to COP 27 in Egypt

Etihad to operate first zero emissions flight to COP 27 in Egypt

UAE's Etihad Airways will operate the first NetZero flight powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Book & Claim, delivering delegates to COP27 with zero net emissions.

Operated on Etihad’s Boeing 787 “Greenliner” the flight will leverage SAF Book & Claim systems in partnership with World Energy to overcome SAF logistical and infrastructure challenges, Etihad said in a statement.

The airline will operate its Washington Dulles to Abu Dhabi service, routed via COP27 venue Sharm-El-Sheik to demonstrate the only feasible path to net-zero commercial aviation using current technology.

Mariam Alqubaisi, Head of Sustainability & Business Excellence, Etihad Airways, said: “This initiative is about proving NetZero commercial aviation is possible, but equally facing up to the significant logistical challenges the industry faces to turn the possible into the routine."

While World Energy is a carbon-net-zero solutions provider, Neat SAF is a 100% sustainable fuel made entirely of renewable resources and contains no fossil-based feedstock.

The national airlines has made a commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and halving its net emission levels by 2035.

The NetZero flight is seen as the next step after Etihad's EY20 Sustainable Flight operation from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi in October last year. The flight reduced emissions by 72%