WestJet flights from SFO to YYC to fly on renewable fuel
by CM Staff
The airline purchased Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to fly 40 flights over three months from San Francisco to Calgary.
Angela Avery, WestJet Group Executive Vice-President and Chief People, Corporate and Sustainability Officer (CNW Group/WESTJET, an Alberta Partnership)
CALGARY — WestJet has made a three-month commitment to operating all flights, from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Calgary International Airport (YYC) with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Neste, an oil refining and marketing company based in Finland.
WestJet says Canada’s SAF Destination program has provided support to the airline’s efforts towards sustainability and decarbonization.
“We are thrilled that WestJet will be the first Canadian air carrier to operate a dedicated flight route using SAF,” said Angela Avery, WestJet Group executive vice-president and chief people, corporate and sustainability officer in a statement.
“This is an integral step in decarbonizing Canada’s aviation sector and WestJet is committed to working alongside our partners to reduce our environmental footprint as we aim to drive greater awareness for the importance of a SAF ecosystem in Canada.”
Stakeholders from across Alberta and Calgary joined WestJet in its announcement. Others present included Lana van Marter, manager of renewable aviation, Neste; Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Sonya Savage; U.S. Consul General, George Chahal.
WestJet used the announcement to help promote sustainable aviation fuel and suggested a need for a Canadian production program.
The airline purchased Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel to fly 40 flights over three months from San Francisco to Calgary. WestJet’s reports that this immediate investment in SAF over the next three months will directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions on these routes by 186 tons.
WestJet says it is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
The company says that although limited production and high costs continue to constrain access to SAF, the airline’s newest SAF operated route demonstrates the possibility of making some incremental change towards a larger shift in the airline industry.
