Bristow to offer sustainable aviation fuel option after first such flight for BP

Offshore aviation services provider Bristow Group has completed a flight to BP’s offshore assets using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which it plans to offer to all future clients as part of the strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

Bristow reported on Friday that an offshore revenue flight was completed using SAF while flying from Aberdeen to installations operated by BP. This occasion marked one of the first SAF-powered flights to an offshore operation in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), according to Bristow.

Matt Rhodes, director at Bristow, commented: “These first flights have given us the opportunity to demonstrate sustainable aviation fuel’s capability and benefits in offshore transportation and are a great first step in our path to reducing carbon emissions.”

As part of a demonstration utilising a Bristow S-92, the company used SAF, fully certified to Jet A1 standards, meeting Defence Standard 91-091 and ASTM D1655 standards for aviation turbine kerosene, as part of its strategic relationship with Air BP.

Bristow informed that the SAF blend supplied is 35 per cent SAF and the SAF component provides a lifecycle carbon reduction of approximately 80 per cent compared to the traditional jet fuel it replaces. The company says that further flights are scheduled over the next two weeks with a view to SAF being provided as an option to all Bristow customers in the future.

“We look forward to maximizing the positive benefits that sustainable fuel supply will provide for the environment, as well as developing a cost-effective and sustainable solution to help us achieve our operational and environmental goals,” added Rhodes.

As part of the firm’s efforts to significantly reduce its carbon emissions, utilising SAF for operational flights is one of many global initiatives along with increased use of electric-powered ground support vehicles at select operating bases.

“We’ve seen great enthusiasm for this initiative from colleagues across our business in our engineering, pilot and ground support teams and are proud to be able to take these first steps,” concluded Rhodes.

Bristow explains that sustainable aviation fuel is made from feedstocks such as used cooking oil and household waste. The company describes its adoption as a key element in the global aviation industry’s commitment to reducing its total carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050.

In recent company news, Bristow announced the appointment of a retired U.S. Air Force general to its board of directors.

A few months later, the company named a retired Guyana Defence Force Air Corps commanding officer as the Guyanese area manager.