Tomorrowland to buy more sustainable aviation fuel to offset kerosene use
Music festival Tomorrowland is working with Brussels Airlines to buy sustainable aviation fuel to offset its use of kerosene. The move aims to reduce the festival's carbon footprint, the two companies announced on Tuesday.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be purchased for Tomorrowland's "party flights", which transport international visitors to the festival. "For every litre of kerosene required, we will buy the equivalent in SAF," Brussels Airlines said. The SAF will be used within the Lufthansa Group, the parent company.
Most other flights use Green Fares, a Lufthansa Group fare known as the Global Journey Package, which allows passengers to buy 20 per cent SAF rather than 100 per cent as on party flights.
However, the party flights will not fly on SAF alone, aviation expert Wouter Dewulf of the University of Antwerp said. "Normally, only a minimum amount of SAF is added to aviation fuel, at most a few per cent. Last week, Virgin Atlantic flew a plane with 100 per cent SAF, but they got a special permit for it."
No silver bullet
"It's not a silver bullet, but it's the best interim solution to make aviation more sustainable for now," said Dewulf. "There is a lot of debate about greenwashing, but this is an important and necessary step towards greener flying."
He estimates it will be at least another 15 years before sustainable fuel is widely used, and another 15 years before most commercial aircraft are replaced. In addition, there is a lack of sufficient production facilities and raw materials to produce SAF on a large scale.
"We are working to amplify our impact and create positive change for all"
"The journey to a better world in the future begins with the steps we take today," said Tomorrowland spokesperson Debby Wilmsen. "We are working to amplify our impact and create positive change for all."
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO CHRISTIAN NEYT
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