Willis Lease Finance Corporation, a major aircraft engine leasing company, has unveiled an innovative endeavour to develop and produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using Power-to-Liquid (PtL) technology. In collaboration with its subsidiary, Willis Sustainable Fuels (UK) Limited, as well as financial and strategic partners, the company is making significant strides towards establishing a new SAF refinery in north-eastern England.
Decarbonizing air travel presents unique challenges compared to other modes of transportation like automotive and rail. “Our ground-breaking PtL SAF project aims to directly support the global aviation industry’s ambitious objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to decarbonise aviation,” stated Austin C. Willis, CEO of WLFC. “As one of the pioneering aviation leasing companies spearheading such a large-scale SAF initiative, we are thrilled to continue our legacy as leaders and innovators in the aviation industry. The SAF project is just one aspect of our broader strategy to contribute to the decarbonisation of aviation. Over the past few years, WLFC has committed to and invested approximately US$1.5 billion in modern technology and lower fuel consumption engines, and we will continue to do so to support this strategy.”
Leveraging Stakeholder Relationships
Recognising the importance of involving stakeholders beyond the traditional supply chain, Willis believes that their engagement will be crucial in achieving the aviation industry’s envisioned goals. In 2019, WLFC expanded its presence in the United Kingdom (UK) by establishing an aircraft technical services business at Teesside International Airport, Darlington, UK, and forging significant partnerships in the local region and throughout the UK.
“Building upon our valued relationship with Teesside International Airport, we are excited to collaborate with local stakeholders to advance our plans for the first PtL SAF refinery in Teesside,” added Mr. Willis. WLFC’s initial focus in the UK is largely driven by its existing partnership with Tees Valley, where the company has developed Willis Aviation Services Limited and Jet Centre by Willis at Teesside International Airport over the past 36 months.
This project aligns with and supports not only the Tees Valley Net-Zero strategy but also the UK government’s Ten-Point Plan, Build Back Greener and Jet-Zero strategies. With Tees Valley establishing a National Hydrogen Hub, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen believes that this decarbonization project holds immense potential to enhance the region’s prominence, create new job opportunities, and showcase the collaborative efforts of Teesside International Airport and WLFC in benefiting Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool as a whole. Mayor Houchen emphasised that WLFC is already an excellent partner for the airport, and the SAF project will further support the airport’s goal of becoming the UK’s first net-zero airport.
WLFC’s existing commercial relationships with over 120 global airlines, as well as regional UK airlines, position the company well to facilitate participation and secure SAF off-take commitments from airlines and large-scale fuel distributors.
A Future of Decarbonised Aviation
The new SAF refinery project has recently completed feasibility studies in late 2022. Collaborating closely with Teesside International Airport and partners with expertise in sustainable energy and infrastructure development, WLFC firmly believes that SAF is the most viable short-term solution to contribute to a decarbonised future in aviation. The project is currently in the front-end engineering design stage. The PtL SAF process is being designed to utilize feedstocks derived from CO2 and green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity, thereby leading to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
“We take great pride in being at the forefront of this crucial global initiative aimed at expediting the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry,” continued Willis. “We are fully committed to the success of this project and approach it with utmost seriousness.”
