Emirates has announced that the company has completed the ground engine testing for one of its GE90 engines on a Boeing 777-300ER powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The objective of the ground testing and analysis is to demonstrate the capability of the GE90 engine to run on the specially blended 100% SAF without affecting its performance. The engine must give its optimum performance without requiring any modifications to the aircraft systems, or special maintenance procedures on the Boeing 777-300ER or GE90 engine to operate. SAF reduces carbon emissions over the fuel’s life cycle by up to 80%.
The ground test results will now pave the way for Emirates’ first experimental test flight using 100% SAF in one engine, which is due for take-off by end of January 2023. The testing activities involved running one engine on 100% SAF and the other on conventional jet fuel to better analyze the fuel system´s behaviour and performance under each fuel type, compare specific outputs of each engine and ensure seamless operation of the aircraft’s engine and airframe fuel systems during the planned test flight.