Cebu Pacific operates its first SAF-powered commercial flight

Cebu Pacific operated a Singapore to Manila passenger flight powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) - becoming the first Philippine carrier to incorporate the fuel in its commercial operations.
The Philippine carrier’s 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. Our first passenger flight using SAF is a culmination of months of cooperation with valued partners and is an important component of our sustainability programme.”
"We applaud Cebu Pacific for taking the first step on their SAF journey and are honored that they have chosen 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,” said Yeo Kia Thye, managing director, airport operations planning and airside at Changi Airport Group.
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 decarbonisation and sustainability.
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 decarbonise by 2050. This agreement is testimony to the growing demand in the Asia Pacific region and we are ready to meet that need,” noted Jan Toschka, president of Shell Aviation.