Japan Airlines (JAL) recently announced it was able to operate a commercial flight from Tokyo Haneda to Fukuoka airport using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Japanese flag carrier said the product was a blend of traditional jet kerosene and SAF produced in Japan — the effort is part of JAL's commitment to looking at environmental-friendly options in its operations meant to reduce its carbon footprint.

"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," it said in a statement.

"The carrier will continue striving to achieve key environmental goals and contribute to a greener environment for future generations."

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.