Eastern Airways debuts Cornwall to London service on sustainable aviation fuel

Eastern Airways, the U.K.’s independent regional airline, celebrated its inaugural Cornwall Newquay-London Gatwick route Dec. 15. The flight was operated with one of Eastern’s ATR72-600 turboprop aircraft, fueled with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by Air BP. The airline underlined its commitment to reduce carbon emissions, backing calls for closer collaborative work between industry and government to lower the cost and widen availability of SAF.

“SAF is key to decarbonizing aviation, and we are pleased to see our customer both fully embracing this strategy and recognizing the environmental credentials of the ATR72-600,” said ATR CEO Stefano Bortoli.

Robert Courts, U.K.’s aviation minister, added, “We are committed to decarbonizing the aviation sector, achieving Jet Zero, and investing millions into sustainable aviation fuel which will power future green flying. It’s good to see Eastern Airways operating its inaugural Cornwall to London flight using SAF and this is a great milestone.”

Welcoming Eastern Airways as its latest airline customer providing new scheduled flights from Cornwall Newquay Airport, Tim Norwood, director of corporate affairs for Gatwick Airport, said, “It is very exciting to welcome the first Eastern Airways’ flight from Cornwall into Gatwick Airport today, particularly as the aircraft was fueled with sustainable aviation fuel. With smart government policy to underpin investment in cost-competitive U.K. SAF production, many more flights could start using SAF in coming years, which would support the aviation industry’s commitment to reach net zero carbon by 2050.”

The SAF supplied is a 37 percent blend produced from waste and residue products.