Shell Aviation to supply SAF for Emirates’ Dubai hub

Shell Aviation and Emirates have signed an agreement for the supply of over 300,000 gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for use at the airline's international hub in Dubai (DXB). The first SAF delivery under the agreement is expected to commence before the end of the year, making it the first time that SAF will be supplied through the DXB airport fuelling system.

The agreement is the latest step forward taken by Emirates as part of its environmental strategy that focuses on three areas: emissions reduction, responsible consumption and the conservation of wildlife and habitats.

As part of the agreement, Emirates will track SAF delivery and its use data through Avelia, one of the world's first blockchain-powered SAF solutions. Avelia is powered by Shell Aviation and Accenture, with support from Energy Web together with American Express Global business travel. Through Avelia, Emirates will purchase the physical SAF and associated environmental attributes to help decarbonise its Scope 1 related emissions, while Scope 3 environmental attributes associated to the same physical SAF will be purchased by Shell Corporate Travel to help decarbonise its related business travel. By using Avelia, the agreement demonstrates how book and claim solutions can enable airlines and corporates to both share the environmental benefits of SAF.

As a safe and fully certified drop-in fuel compatible with existing aircraft fleet and airport infrastructure, SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel at a ratio of up to 50%, creating an aviation fuel that is significantly lower in lifecycle carbon emissions. In its neat form, SAF can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Earlier this year, Emirates successfully completed the first 100% SAF-powered demonstration flight in the region. The airline's first flight powered by SAF blended with jet fuel took place in 2017, operating from Chicago on a Boeing 777. The airline has also uplifted SAF for flights from Stockholm and currently operates flights from Paris, Lyon and Oslo with blended SAF.