Cebu Pacific (CEB) operated on Wednesday a Singapore to Manila passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), becoming the first Philippine carrier to incorporate SAF in its commercial operations.

The Philippine carrier said the maiden SAF flight was operated with an Airbus A321neo, using 35% blended SAF produced by Neste and supplied by Shell Eastern Petroleum.

"SAF will help the aviation industry reduce its carbon emissions," said Alex Reyes, chief strategy officer at Cebu Pacific. "We encourage more producers to increase the supply of SAF in the region."

Yeo Kia Thye, managing director, of Airport Operations Planning and Airside at Changi Airport Group, lauded the airline for taking the first step on their SAF journey and for choosing to do so from Changi Airport.

"Changi Airport Group looks forward to supporting more airlines on their SAF journey, to power sustainable air travel together," Yeo Kia Thye added.

SAF agreement with Shell

A day before the commercial flight, Cebu Pacific signed a long-term strategic partnership with Shell Eastern Petroleum to collaborate on making SAF more widely available, demonstrating the two parties' commitment to decarbonization and sustainability.

Cebu Pacific said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) explores the supply and purchase of SAF in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, with an initial supply volume of at least 25 kilotons per year.

"We are excited to work with Cebu Pacific in this five-year collaboration as we both believe that SAF is the best option available now for aviation to decarbonize by 2050. This agreement is testimony to the growing demand in the Asia Pacific region and we are ready to meet that need," Jan Toschka, president of Shell Aviation said.

SAF is a "drop-in" replacement for fossil fuels made up of 100% renewable waste and raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.

Using SAF results in up to 80% reduction in carbon emissions over the fuel's life cycle.

Cebu Pacific said the chemical and physical characteristics of SAF are almost identical to those of conventional jet fuel, and these can be safely mixed with regular jet fuel to varying degrees.

SAF also does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance or maintenance.

CEB used SAF for the first time in May on a delivery flight of a brand new A330neo from France to the Philippines.

In line with its sustainability initiatives, blended SAF will be part of the standard procedures in all future Airbus NEO deliveries. For the maiden SAF flight, Cebu Pacific utilized its A321neo.

Cebu Pacific will take delivery of one more A33Oneo in November and one A320neo aircraft in December.

"As part of the airline's sustainability efforts, it aims to transition to an all-NEO fleet by 2028 and incorporate the use of blended SAF for its entire commercial network by 2030," Cebu Pacific said in a statement.