South African Airways (SAA) and low-cost carrier Mango flew 300 passengers from Johannesburg to Cape Town on 15 July, in what was described as Africa’s first commercial flights using sustainable aviation biofuel. Thirty per cent of the blend is a biofuel made from Solaris, a patented Sunchem tobacco. The fuel is refined by AltAir Fuels of the US and supplied by SkyNRG, a Dutch company.
Two Boeing aircraft, another partner in the venture, were used for the flights that also marked the manufacturer’s 100th anniversary. Project Solaris tobacco is grown in South Africa.
The Southern Africa Sustainable Fuel Initiative (SASFI) to ensure a long term fuel supply for SAA and other users was announced in conjunction with the initial commercial flights.