ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – On Tuesday, South Korea’s energy company GS Caltex and the national airline Korean Air announced that they have scheduled a flight to Los Angeles for an aircraft powered by biojet fuel, with the aim of reducing the aviation industry’s carbon emissions.
GS Caltex’s executive vice president and director of Mobility & Marketing Kim Chang-soo, Korean Air’s senior vice president of procurement Cho Sung-bae and representatives from relevant government departments and agencies were present at its pilot ceremony at Incheon Airport on Tuesday.
The flight demonstrated at the event was powered by Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a type of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) developed and provided by the Finnish chemical and renewable fuel giant Neste. This innovative fuel is produced from sustainable sources such as waste cooking oil and animal fats, and it offers the potential for up to an 80 per cent reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.
An added advantage of SAF is its compatibility with traditional jet fuel, making it suitable for existing aircraft engines and refueling infrastructure.
Last month, GS Caltex earned distinction as Korea’s first refiner to be certified under the ISCC EU, a biofuel accreditation scheme. In tandem with Korean governmental initiatives to champion eco-friendly fuels, GS Caltex and Korean Air had inked a memorandum of understanding in June, paving the way for six demonstration flights powered by biojet fuel.
This move aligns with global ambitions – specifically those of the International Civil Aviation Organization – which has committed to steer the aviation sector toward a net-zero carbon trajectory by 2050. The ICAO expects the SAF to be a main driver in achieving this target.
“Today, Korea sets its course toward aviation carbon neutrality. Together, we’re crafting a blueprint for the biojet fuel era,” said GS Caltex executive vice president Kim at the ceremony.
