Virgin Australia, Viva Energy join forces in sustainable aviation fuel initiative

Photo: Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia announced March 20 that it has entered an agreement with Viva Energy to source sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for its flights departing from Proserpine, Queensland, between March and July of this year.

Under the terms of the agreement, Viva Energy will provide Virgin Australia with SAF consisting of Jet A-1 and a 30 percent to 40 percent synthetic blend component made from waste and residue feedstocks.

The blend is fully compatible with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure, and all regulatory and safety requirements.

Through this collaboration, Viva Energy will continue to expand its ability to supply SAF-blended jet fuel across Australia utilizing its infrastructure assets, while exploring regional SAF delivery, storage and handling, and direct into-wing dispensing.

SAF, produced from renewable resources such as waste oils, agricultural residues and nonfood crops, is considered a critical game-changer in the aviation industry’s efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 

This reflects SAF’s significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions profile compared to that of conventional jet fuel.

Christian Bennett, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer with Virgin Australia, said the collaboration with Viva Energy is another step forward in Virgin Australia’s sustainability journey, which recognizes the long-term importance of alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions.

“SAF represents the critical long-term opportunity in commercial aviation’s pursuit of its 2050 net-zero emissions ambition,” he said. “Partnership, focused policy development and collaborations such as this with Viva Energy will be essential if we are to adopt successfully SAF’s broader use in Australia over the years and decades ahead. Ensuring SAF is affordable and accessible will be key to achieving lowest-cost carbon abatement at the same time as maintaining the essential role of aviation in connecting Australian communities.”

Nick Adams, Viva Energy’s general manager for Aviation, said the initiative is an important step in the establishment of an ongoing supply of SAF for air travel in regional Australia.

“It is clear that SAF is going to play a bigger role for commercial airlines in this country as they move towards a more sustainable future,” he said. “Through this collaboration—and drawing on the strengths of Viva Energy’s national-distribution network and experience supplying high-quality fuels and aviation operations—we will be working with Virgin Australia to establish the supply chains that will be critical to the future of the aviation industry. Viva Energy is also delighted to be helping a key partner like Virgin Australia in its sustainability journey.”

Ry Collins, Whitsunday regional council mayor, has welcomed the introduction of SAF at Whitsunday Coast Airport, calling it a “perfect fit” given the region’s deep connection to the Great Barrier Reef and its commitment to sustainable tourism.

“It makes absolute sense that Virgin Australia would choose Whitsunday Coast Airport as the launch site for its first ongoing SAF-powered services,” Collins said. “We are committed to driving initiatives locally that produce world-class bioproducts, so I applaud Virgin Australia and Viva Energy for their commitment to SAF and for recognizing the Whitsundays as an ideal location to showcase the benefits of sustainable aviation. We are located in one of the most pristine and ecologically significant regions in the world, and as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, we have a responsibility to embrace innovative solutions that reduce our environmental footprint.”