On October 21, Kenya Airways became the first airline to operate a low-carbon flight within Africa that was half powered by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The milestone is a huge feat for environmentally-friendly travel within Africa. Flight KQ784, which lasted around 6 hours, departed from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and landed in Cape Town, South Africa. The carrier claims that by implementing a variety of eco-friendly measures, the history-making flight’s usage of SAF delivered “up to 85% lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
On social media, the carrier added that the inaugural flight marked “a bold step forward” in its “journey toward net-zero aviation.” Kenya Airlines further claims that the flight is the first of its kinda in Africa regarding its sustainability.
What Else Is There To Know About Kenya Airways’ Sustainability And Low-Carbon Aviation?
To emphasize its push toward sustainability, the low-carbon flight offered passengers reusable cutlery, Kenyan-sourced coffee and tea, and upcycled bags with blankets.
“Every detail onboard reflected our commitment to reducing waste and promoting more responsible travel, because every flight is an opportunity to make a difference,” said Kenya Airways on X.
“This flight shows what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation. It’s a step toward practical solutions that reduce our impact while keeping operations efficient,” noted the carrier’s Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Hellen Mwariri, according to Travel And Tour World.
Kenya Airways disclosed on its social media that funding from its corporate customers made Flight KQ784’s sustainability possible. The carrier also noted that the flight operated in accordance with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s Book and Claim principles.
IATA details on its website that SAF is a comparatively sustainable option of liquid fuel used in commercial aviation. The source added that makers produce the fuel synthetically or from feedstock, “including waste oil and fats, green and municipal waste, and non-food crops.”
