JAL Successfully Operates a Commercial Flight Using Sustainable Aviation Fuel Produced in Japan

Japan Airlines (JAL), a recognized Eco-First company by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, reiterated its commitment to further preserve the environment by operating a commercial flight from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka airport using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The product was a blend of traditional jet kerosene and SAF produced in Japan.

In October 2018, JAL launched a project to convert cotton clothing into SAF, produced within the country of Japan. During the project, 50 local companies helped collect approximately 250,000 pieces of clothing and with the technical support from Green Earth Institute Co., Ltd. and using a bioprocess technology developed by the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE), a domestically produced SAF was successfully created in March 2020.

Details
Date: February 4, 2021
Flight Number: JL319
Route: Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka (Departure 13:00)
Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 (JA849J)

JAL fully recognizes that the airline industry plays an integral role to protect the planet and regards environmental conservation as a vital issue in its Medium Term Management Plan. The carrier will continue striving to achieve key environmental goals and contribute to a greener environment for future generations.

Video Footage of SAF at Haneda Airport (Japanese Language)
https://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/202102/005941.html

To learn more about JAL`s SAF Initiatives:
https://www.jal.com/en/sustainability/environment/climate-action/saf/

Past SAF Projects led by JAL
January 2009 – JAL became the first airline to conduct a demonstration flight in Asia using a sustainable aviation fuel primarily refined from the energy crop, camelina. It was the first demo flight using a combination of three sustainable biofuel feedstock back in 2009. The one and half-hour demo flight using a JAL-owned Boeing 747-300 aircraft, carrying no passengers or payload, took off from Tokyo Haneda airport with a blend of 50% biofuel and 50% traditional Jet-A jet (kerosene) fuel was tested in the No.3 engine.

October 2018 – Based on the CO2 emissions standard set by the ICAO to reduce the impact of aviation greenhouse gas emissions, JAL formed a strategic partnership with the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development (JOIN) and Marubeni Corporation to invest in Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc. to jointly develop SAF for the aviation sector.

February 2021 – JAL operates commercial flight from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka with jet fuel blended with SAF produced in Japan.