Qatar Airways has announced an offtake agreement with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producer Gevo, Inc. As more and more airlines are going green to reduce carbon emissions, Qatar Airways and its Oneworld counterparts joined together to support Gevo to establish its SAF-producing facilities by 2030.
About Gevo Inc.
Before continuing about Qatar Airways and Oneworld’s plan on sustainable aviation fuel, I will briefly explain Gevo Inc.
Gevo Inc. is a renewable chemical and advanced biofuel company headquartered in Douglas County, Colorado. The company is one of the leading producers of energy-dense liquid hydrocarbons and renewable chemicals with net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions.
Qatar Airways & Oneworld Members Team Up To Support Gevo
Gevo made a five-year agreement with newly-joined Oneworld member Alaska Airlines on SAF sales and Alaska was the first airline to fly on a Gevo experimental fuel that we made from the cellulosic fiber of wood waste.
Qatar Airways and Oneworld are planning to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and Gevo was chosen for the alliance to produce a commercial level of sustainable aviation fuel. This is because, back in 2020, the Oneworld alliance was the first major alliance to unite behind a common target to achieve carbon neutrality with zero carbon offset by 2050.
Oneworld is planning to use 10% of SAF by 2030 and noting that the SAF will be certified under the sustainability criteria laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
In a statement, Qatar Airways CEO and Oneworld Chairman, Mr. Al Baker said:
“Qatar Airways continues to prioritise our commitment to net-zero flying by the middle of this century. Decarbonising aviation requires a gradual incorporation of lower carbon and sustainable aviation fuels, and we are proud to collaborate on this global effort for a better future. Joining forces with fellow oneworld members, we are supporting Gevo to establish its SAF-producing facilities in order to ramp up SAF supply and get closer to our goal of replacing 10% of our conventional jet fuel with SAF by 2030.”
The agreement between Qatar Airways and Gevo will allow the airline to purchase 25 million gallons of SAF over the course of five years with the first delivery like to occur in 2028.
Dr. Patrick R. Gruber, Gevo’s Chief Executive Officer said:
“By working with farmers on regenerative agricultural practices, Gevo can sustainability source feedstock to produce sustainable aviation fuel, while also increasing soil health, sequestering carbon, and providing nutritional products to the food chain.” “By building sustainability into every step of our business system, from sustainably grown feedstock to using renewable energy for production, we are helping Qatar Airways and other members of the oneworld alliance to reach their emission reduction goals.”
Qatar Airways Going Greener
Qatar Airways is working hard to reduce its carbon footprint achieving environmental sustainability. The airline recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability in aviation and collaborates with regional and international companies to be a net zero-carbon airline in the future.
One Step Behind Etihad Airways
Qatar Airways’ plan to be a greener, environmentally friendly airline is one step behind its Middle East competitor: Etihad Airways.
As part of the Etihad Greenliner Program, in 2019, Etihad was the first airline to launch an Eco flight and sustainable flight last year. Etihad is heavily researching to be carbon-free and you can clearly notice this from its onboard products too.
Summary
Qatar Airways has signed an offtake agreement with sustainable aviation fuel producer Gevo Inc. This agreement will allow Qatar Airways to replace 10% of its conventional jet fuel with SAF by 2030.
This partnership, along with Oneworld alliance members purchasing up to 200 million gallons, is Qatar Airways and Oneworld’s plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Now Qatar Airways has one more slogan: “Going Greener Together.”
