Japan Airlines recently made a sustainable aviation milestone as they successfully operated a flight from Kansai International Airport to Shanghai Pudong International Airport using domestically mass-produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The flight, designated as JL891, took off from Kansai at 10:13 local time on May 1, 2025, and landed in Shanghai after a flight time of two hours and 48 minutes.

The SAF utilized for this flight was sourced from waste cooking oil collected throughout Japan and manufactured locally at Saffaire Sky Energy’s facility in Osaka. This marks a significant step forward in Japan Airlines' sustainability efforts as they aim to transition towards eco-friendly aviation practices.

Known as the Fly to Fry project, Japan Airlines' initiative focuses on using SAF made from domestic resources, specifically waste cooking oil from households and businesses. This flight represents the beginning of a supply chain strategy that ensures continuous production and availability of SAF within Japan.

Shaping the future of aviation sustainability, Japan Airlines is committed to further decarbonizing the industry. They plan to strengthen partnerships with companies and local governments, intensify the collection of waste cooking oil, and expand the utilization of SAF across the country as part of their Fry to Fly Project.

As JAL propels the aviation sector towards a greener future, their innovative approach reinforces the importance of environmental stewardship in the industry. With initiatives like these, Japan Airlines is not just flying towards destinations but also towards a more sustainable aviation landscape.

Sources: Pilotcenter.net News