BAKKAFROST SCOTLAND JOINS VIRGIN ATLANTIC LED CONSORTIUM’S FIRST TRANS ATLANTIC SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TRIAL FLIGHT

One of Scotland’s leading sustainable salmon producers is part of a major new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) trial between London and New York this week.

Bakkafrost Scotland had a container of salmon on the Virgin Atlantic flight on Tuesday, 28 November - the world’s first 100% SAF flight across the Atlantic.

Virgin Atlantic and Rolls Royce have been extensively testing SAF on a Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine and this week’s flight from London Heathrow to New York JFK airport, on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is set to be a major talking point in aviation history.

Bakkafrost Scotland managing director, Ian Laister, said the test flight represented a key moment in sustainable aviation.

“We are committed to being a sustainable business in every sense and with the increasing focus on sustainable exports and airfreight across the world, this SAF approach has to be a key development for the future.

“Scottish Salmon is one of the UK’s leading exports and our brands are world-class, so the way we transport products around the globe has got to match the expectations of our customers.

“Virgin Atlantic and Rolls Royce are clearly taking a forward-thinking approach to the world’s environmental issues, and we are delighted to be on board with them in every way with this inaugural flight.”

Virgin Atlantic is committed to finding more sustainable ways to fly as part of its ‘Mission to Net Zero 2050’. The company already operates one of the most fuel and carbon efficient fleets across the Atlantic, and this week’s flight is ‘building on the airline’s 15-year track record for leading on SAF’.

The Virgin Atlantic led consortium, jointly funded by the UK Department for Transport, includes Rolls Royce, Boeing, University of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Rocky Mountain Institute.

The SAF used to power the two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines is produced by Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Synthetic Aromatic Kerosine (SAK) at an 88% SAF and 12% SAK blend ratio.