The UK airport used mostly for executive flights will start powering ground vehicles with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to replace conventional fossil fuels.
The biofuel, which is produced from used cooking oil, can reduce pollution by up to 90%, including greenhouse gases and particulate matter released into the environment.
“In July 2021, Farnborough Airport introduced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can reduce flight emissions up to 80%. In 2018, the airport was the first business aviation airport to receive carbon neutral status from the Airports Council International Europe and, over the past 10 years, the airport has reduced its controllable emissions by more than 70%,” airport management said in a statement.
With this initiative, both aircraft and ground vehicles traveling through the airport will use sustainable fuels as a measure to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry. As with SAF in aircraft, HVO requires no modifications to infrastructure or vehicles, so implementation can be immediate.
The hydrotreated vegetable oil will be supplied to Farnborough Airport by WP Group and has the potential to reduce NOx emissions by 30% and particulate matter by 70%. The fuel is produced by the UK company from renewable resource feedstocks.
Simon Geere, managing director of the airport said, “The team at Farnborough Airport recognizes that climate change is a clear and pressing issue and is committed to minimizing its impact and improving environmental performance across its operations. The introduction of HVO is another milestone in our sustainability program and an integral part of meeting the government’s zero net carbon emissions targets.”
Mark Clouter, commercial manager of WP Group said, “HVO offers an immediate way to reduce emissions, without incurring capital costs to change vehicles or equipment. WP is committed to our long-standing relationship with Farnborough Airport, providing a secure supply of the latest products, technologies and fuel management that support the airport’s sustainability program.”
