Page 180 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - MARTIOS 2023

News from the aviation world tion Fuel (SAF). The flight took off from Dubai GE90 engine, while conventional jet fuel sup-
International Airport (DXB), flying over the Dubai plied the other.
coastline for more than one hour.
The demonstration flight powered by SAF EUROPE’S TOURISM RECOVERY
AVIATION declared 2023 the ‘Year of Sustainability’. The Ryanair is basing its prediction for robust air traf-
holds particular significance as the UAE has GAINING MOMENTUM
year will showcase the UAE’s commitment to fic in the summer months on rising demand from
seeking innovative solutions to energy and cli-
American and Asian travellers bound for Europe.
mate change challenges and other sustainabili-
The CEO of the low-cost airline, Michael O’Leary,
INDUSTRY ty-related issues. The flight supports collective underlined the above based on the bookings
already recorded.
industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF
The Financial Times reports that favourable cur-
flying and help advance the UAE’s sustainability
rency conditions are an incentive for travellers,
objectives.
Emirates’ demonstration flight, the first in the particularly Americans since the euro’s depreci-
Middle East and North Africa to be powered by
ation against the dollar has reduced their costs.
Edited by: Manos Charitos
100% SAF, supports broader efforts to reduce At the same time, the rise in demand from Asia
lifecycle CO₂ emissions as the industry looks to is partly due to the end of Beijing’s strict travel
scale up its use of SAF. The flights will also help policy during the pandemic. In addition, the
to refine the playbook for future SAF demon- ability of the Chinese to travel abroad has been
strations and support future certification where particularly limited in recent years, leading to a
BOEING 747: END OF AN ERA FOR THE The production of the Boeing 747 has ended 100% drop-in SAF fuel is approved for aircraft. build-up in demand.
“QUEEN OF THE SKIES” due to the construction of more energy-efficient Currently, SAF is approved for use in all aero- It will be interesting to see how this development
The delivery of the last Boeing 747 to Atlas Air aircraft by Boeing itself and by Airbus, its main planes but only in blends of up to 50% with con- will affect the demand for oil and oil derivatives.
marks the closing of a chapter in the history of competitor. The company announced discontin- ventional jet fuel. After all, aircraft fuel is a petroleum derivative;
the aviation industry. The Boeing 747, nicknamed uing the production of the 747 in 2020, but the Emirates worked alongside partners GE Aero- therefore, an increase in aviation demand means
“Queen of the Skies,” revolutionised air travel signs had already been there, as the production space, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent to an increased demand for fuel. In addition, this
towards the end of the 1960s by providing an rate had dropped to about six aircraft a year. procure and develop a blend of SAF that closely development may also positively affect the
affordable option for the passenger public, as Now, the airline industry is awaiting the suc- replicates the properties of conventional jet fuel. demand for tankers, both for those transport-
Reuters noted. cessor to the Boeing 747, the 777X. Boeing has A host of chemical and physical fuel property ing the refined product and those transporting
As Guy Norris, a co-author of “Boeing 747: confirmed that it expects to deliver its first 777X measurements was carried out at each blend crude oil to international refineries.
Design and Development Since 1969”, wrote, aircraft in 2025. ratio. After multiple lab tests and rigorous trials,
“It’s the aeroplane that redefined the aviation they arrived at a blending ratio that mirrored AIRBUS WINS THE “BATTLE OF THE
industry and air travel. EMIRATES: Α MILESTONE DEMON- the qualities of jet fuel. Eighteen tonnes of SAF SKIES” AGAINST BOEING
Billionaire Richard Branson, the founder of the STRATION FLIGHT POWERED WITH were blended, comprised of HEFA-SPK provided Airbus retained its leading position as the
Virgin group, who was inspired to start an airline 100% SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL by Neste (hydro-processed esters, fatty acids, world’s top aerospace company for the fourth
with a single Boeing 747 after getting stuck on Emirates has operated its first milestone demon- and synthetic paraffinic kerosene) and HDO- consecutive year in 2022, surpassing its US rival
a delayed flight, called it a “wonderful beast” as stration flight on a Boeing 777-300ER, powering SAK from Virent (hydro-deoxygenated synthetic Boeing in aircraft deliveries.
he bid it farewell. one of its engines with 100% Sustainable Avia- aromatic kerosene). The 100% SAF supplied one The European Group has announced that it deliv-
ered 661 aircraft to 84 customers in 2022, an
8% increase over 2021. However, it fell short of
its target of 720 aircraft deliveries. On the other
hand, Boeing’s percentage increase in deliveries
was higher, as from the 340 aircraft it delivered
in 2021, in 2022, the number rose to 480.
The two giant companies faced significant
challenges last year, such as raw materials and
labour shortages and delays in aircraft engine
deliveries. In addition, the war in Ukraine and
high energy costs have added to Airbus and
Boeing’s headaches.
After three difficult years, China’s lifting of travel
restrictions has revived hopes for an aviation
industry recovery. However, the CEO of Airbus,
Guillaume Fourie, said in a statement that he is
concerned about the industry’s short-term pros-
pects, stressing that 2023 will be another year
of significant disruptions in the supply chains.

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