A Korean Air cargo plane will become the first in Korea to refuel with bio-aviation fuel (SAF) and conduct a test flight.
According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Resources and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport on Sept. 5, Korean Air flight KE207, a B777 cargo aircraft taking off from Incheon at 5:45 p.m. and bound for LA will be fueled with 2% SAF-blended aviation fuel. This marks the first time a domestic aircraft will operate using SAF.
Moving forward, flight KE207 will refuel with the SAF blend twice a month for the next three months. The government and the aviation and refining industries plan to verify the quality, performance, and stability of SAF through this test flight.
SAF, an eco-friendly aviation fuel, is produced from waste cooking oil and household waste. It is evaluated to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuel-based aviation fuel.
The Ministry of Industry plans to use the data obtained from this test flight to establish SAF quality standards and overhaul related laws and systems by the first half of next year.