BRA and ATR have signed an agreement that they, together with the Finnish bio-aviation fuel manufacturer Neste, will carry out a certification of 100 percent bio-aviation fuel mixture in the flights. The first test flight is already planned for the first quarter of next year. The initiative cuts 80 percent of emissions compared to fossil aviation fuel.
In a project, the Air Force has already flown JAS 39 Gripen on 100 percent bio-aviation fuel and other test flights have also been carried out, a handful in the world, but this has never been done with a turboprop aircraft before. Now, however, BRA, ATR and Neste will change this because they will carry out a certification that makes it possible to fly with 100 percent bio-aviation fuel in mind with ATR 72 aircraft.
“We have set high goals, we are currently in the process of defining the roadmap towards becoming one of the world’s first airlines to reach net-zero and our target year is 2030. It is absolutely crucial for the future of aviation that we reduce our climate footprint”, says Ulrika Matsgård, CEO of the airline BRA and continues: Here we can be a role model and put on the leader jersey.
BRA’s aircraft fleet today consists only of ATR 72-600 aircraft. It is today the most fuel efficient on the market as it uses 40 percent less fuel and thus emits up to 40 percent less carbon dioxide than comparable aircraft. The fact that the turboprop plan consumes less fuel means that these are a good combination because bio-aviation fuel is still 4-5 times more expensive than fossil fuel.
BRA, ATR and Neste aim to carry out a test flight with an ATR from BRA refueled with 100% bio-aviation fuel in one engine and 50% bio-aviation fuel in the other in the spring of 2022. The estimated reduction in carbon dioxide on such a flight is 64 percent. At 100 percent bio aviation fuel in both engines, the expected reduction is as much as 82 percent.
“We see the airline BRA as the perfect partner to carry out this project with. They are a company that is committed and works for a more sustainable flight. They move the boundaries. BRA has a history of being consistent first among the airlines that implement changes to reduce the climate footprint of their flights. In addition to being part of the world’s first deal for a green-funded aircraft with us, they were also the first airline to offer its passengers the choice of bio-aviation fuel in their booking system. We are proud to be with BRA also on the next step on their journey and we are confident that this will also prove to be an important step for a reduced climate footprint for aviation “, says ATR’s CEO Stefano Bortoli.
(Photo: BRA)
Original article (SE): https://flyg24nyheter.com/2021/09/17/bra-lanserar-samarbete-for-att-flyga-med-100-procent-bioflygbransle/
