Fiji Airways will launch a global fuel supply tender. This is in order to secure a future supply of a blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to meet its sustainability objectives.

It is part of the national airline’s significant milestone on its journey towards a more sustainable future for aviation.

Island of Vatulele

Fiji Airways managing director, and chief executive officer, Andre Viljoen, revealed this as the airline welcomed its newest Airbus A350-900 XWB aircraft, named the Island of Vatulele, in Nadi yesterday.

It is for the first time ever that the airline has operated a flight from Singapore, having flown the entire 8520 km journey powered by a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend.

Mr Viljoen said this inaugural SAF blend-powered flight demonstrated Fiji Airways’ commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and ensuring a sustainable future for aviation.

“As the national carrier of a small island developing state, we are acutely aware of the need for urgent action to combat climate change,” he said.

“As an airline, most of our carbon emissions are generated by using jet fuel, so to meaningfully reduce our carbon footprint, we must embrace using a blend of sustainable fuels.

He added that sustainable aviation fuels were produced from sustainable materials and produce up to 80 per cent less carbon emissions than conventionaljet fuel.

“By using sustainable fuels, Fiji Airways and all airlines can make a significant contribution to the fight against climate change,” Mr Viljoen said.

Challenges

“SAF comes with its own set of challenges because the production processes are complex, and there are only a small number of producers.

“Consequently, sustainable fuels are significantly (between four to eight times) more expensive than conventional jet fuel, and are in short supply.

Many larger airlines, with more resources, have already bought up significant quantities of future SAF capacity, making it somewhat challenging to secure future supply.

“As demand for sustainable fuels increases, we will see investment and production ramp up, and it will become much easier and more affordable for airlines to acquire SAF.

“We are exploring all options, including the potential for SAF production in Fiji.”

Fourth next-generation airbus

The Island of Vatulele is the fourth next-generation Airbus A350 aircraft to enter the Fiji Airways fleet, one of the youngest, most modern, and most fuel-efficient fleets of aircraft in the world.

Turaga na Vunisalevu Tui Ekubu Ratu Joji Toge said it was a proud moment for the island.

“We do understand tourism very well, and having the name of the island on the aircraft is a big boost for us and Fiji as a whole to the world,” Ratu Joji said.

“This will motivate us to be more involved in such tourism collaboration process to get more guests into the country.”

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