Airbus has announced that State Grid Space Technology Co., Ltd (SGST) has made history by successfully conducting the first helicopter flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in China. The Airbus H125 helicopter, equipped with a Safran ARRIEL 2D engine, took off from Hefei Shiwan Airport and flew with a hybrid ratio of 40% SAF provided by China National Aviation Fuel (CNAF). This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of low-carbon aviation within the Chinese aeronautics industry.
This milestone follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Airbus and CNAF. The agreement aims to strengthen Chinese-European collaboration in the production, competitive application, and formulation of common standards for SAF. SAF is a sustainable alternative aviation fuel produced from various sources, including used fat, oil, grease, and waste materials. Compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF has been shown to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% across its lifecycle. The partnership between Airbus and CNAF seeks to optimize the SAF supply chain, diversify sources, and enhance production to achieve a goal of using 10% SAF by 2030.