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Emirates’ first flights with sustainable aviation fuel from Dubai takes off

This supply marked the first-ever introduction of SAF to Emirates in Dubai, supporting a series of flights over the past few weeks

Emirates recently established a $200 million fund for research and development projects aimed at reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation

The first Emirates flights operated using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) provided by Shell Aviation took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Among the flights was Emirates’ EK412, bound for Sydney on October 24.

Shell Aviation played a vital role in enabling this occasion, having supplied 315,000 gallons of blended SAF for use at Dubai’s aviation hub.

This supply marked the first-ever introduction of SAF to Emirates in Dubai, supporting a series of flights over the past few weeks.

The SAF blend, provided by Shell, consisted of a 40 percent ratio of neat SAF and 60 percent conventional Jet A-1 fuel, with chemical characteristics identical to traditional jet fuel.

This blend seamlessly integrates into the existing airport fuel infrastructure and the entire Emirates fleet’s engines without necessitating modifications.

In its undiluted form, SAF demonstrates an impressive reduction of up to 80 percent in greenhouse gas emissions over its life cycle compared to conventional jet fuel.

The airline has diligently monitored the delivery, use, and environmental benefits of SAF through Avelia, Shell Aviation’s blockchain-powered book and claim solution.

“We’re pushing ahead with proactive measures to enable more sustainable flying now and in the future, and powering flights from our Dubai hub is just one of the steps we’ve taken to reduce emissions and help our customers minimise their own carbon footprint. We still have a long road ahead, and we hope that our partnership with Shell Aviation inspires more producers to address the supply gaps and make SAF readily available in major hubs like Dubai,” Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said.


This development follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier this year between Emirates and Shell to explore various areas of collaboration in sustainable travel and technology-driven travel experiences.

Additionally, both entities are committed to evaluating mechanisms to reduce travel emissions for Shell’s business travel requirements, with the Avelia platform ensuring transparent tracking of the environmental benefits of SAF.

“Emirates and Shell have a long-standing history of collaboration, and we are thrilled to continue this journey together to enable SAF usage in the UAE. This first-ever supply of SAF to Emirates in Dubai is an example of what can be achieved when different parts of the aviation value chain come together. Our hope is that this milestone will inspire further advancements in SAF adoption throughout the aviation industry in the UAE and the wider region,” Jan Toschka, President of Shell Aviation said.


Emirates continues to focus its environmental efforts across three pillars: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly, and preserving wildlife and habitats.

Emirates’ commitment to sustainable aviation

The airline recently established a $200 million fund for research and development projects aimed at reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation, representing one of the most substantial single commitments in the airline industry towards sustainability.

In January, Emirates marked another milestone by operating the region’s first 100 percent SAF-powered demonstration flight.

The airline has been actively engaged in advancing research on SAF use in higher blends, its performance, safety, and reliability, thus supporting standardisation and future certification of 100 percent SAF for regular commercial use.

Emirates’ journey with SAF began in 2017 when it first uplifted it on a flight from Chicago, with subsequent flights from Stockholm, Paris, Lyon, and Oslo also operating with blended SAF.

The airline actively participates in industry and UAE government working groups and engages stakeholders to enhance the production and supply of sustainable aviation fuel.

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