By WestJet | June 6, 2022 | 2 min read – Release here
Joint initiative led by Boeing and IATA sees first ever collective purchase of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to launch flights out of Los Angeles International Airport during the 9th Summit of the Americas
Flight was operated alongside airlines from across the Americas in demonstration of industry’s commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050
WestJet today, joined aviation peers for a demonstration of the industry’s collective commitment to decarbonizing the aviation industry by fueling WS 1511 between Los Angeles (LAX) and Calgary (YYC) with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The symbolic flight was a joint initiative with Boeing, as heads of state from across the Americas came together in Los Angeles, California for the ninth Summit of the Americas.
Led by Boeing and IATA, WestJet purchased SAF and collaborated with airline peers to demonstrate the promise of SAF in dramatically reducing emissions on everyday flights. At 12:50 p.m. PT, WestJet’s first ever flight fueled by SAF departed from LAX carrying 142 guests to YYC on the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX.
“WestJet is proud to join Boeing, IATA and our industry peers today to collectively demonstrate our commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Diederik Pen, Chief Operating Officer, WestJet. “Sustainable Aviation Fuels hold enormous potential to decarbonize flying and WestJet is committed to furthering our investments to reduce our environmental footprint for years to come.”
Earmarked by the theme of this year’s Summit of the Americas, “Building a Sustainable Future”, WestJet’s participation in today’s event comes as a consortium of stakeholders, including Boeing, IATA and WestJet advocate for a future where SAF becomes the standard fuel for flying. While currently constrained by limited production and high costs, the collective demonstration reaffirms calls for policy incentives and support to enable the transition to the widespread adoption of SAF.