On the 9th, Air Premia, a low-cost carrier (LCC) specializing in medium to long-haul operations, announced that it has introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Air Premia started using the introduced SAF by blending it into flight YP731, which departed Incheon for Narita Airport in Japan on the 3rd.
The introduction of SAF is part of the initiative launched last August by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to mandate a 1% blending of SAF for all international flights departing from Korea starting in 2027.
Air Premia plans to refuel Narita-bound flights with 1% SAF every Friday for the next year, and then expand its usage to other routes. The SAF used on the Narita route is from the domestic oil company SK Energy.
SAF is not made from fossil fuels but is chemically similar to conventional aviation fuel. It is an eco-friendly fuel that can be used without altering the structure of the aircraft.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF can be blended with conventional aviation fuel and can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
An Air Premia official noted, "This operation on the route was initiated in line with the global decarbonization movement," and added, "We will strive to become an airline loved by customers by taking the lead in implementing ESG management."