Virgin Australia has signed an agreement with Viva Energy to source Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights departing from Proserpine, Queensland, between March and July 2025.
SAF, made from renewable sources such as waste oils and agricultural residues, is considered a key component in aviation’s push towards net zero emissions by 2050. Compared to conventional jet fuel, SAF has a significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions profile.
Under the agreement, Viva Energy will supply Virgin Australia with a SAF blend, consisting of Jet A1 fuel and a 30-40 per cent synthetic component derived from waste and residue feedstocks. The blend meets all regulatory and safety standards and is fully compatible with existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure.
Nick Adams, General Manager for Aviation at Viva Energy, said the initiative is an important step towards building an ongoing SAF supply in regional Australia.
“It is clear that SAF is going to play a bigger role for commercial airlines in this country as they move towards a more sustainable future.
“Through this collaboration – and drawing on the strengths of Viva Energy’s national distribution network and experience supplying high-quality fuels and aviation operations – we will be working with Virgin Australia to establish the supply chains that will be critical to the future of the aviation industry. Viva Energy is also delighted to be helping a key partner like Virgin Australia in its sustainability journey.”
Christian Bennett, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Virgin Australia, said the partnership marks another step in the airline’s sustainability strategy.
“SAF represents the critical long-term opportunity in commercial aviation’s pursuit of its 2050 net zero emissions ambition.
“Partnership, focused policy development, and collaborations such as this with Viva Energy will be essential if we are to adopt successfully SAF’s broader use in Australia over the years and decades ahead.
“Ensuring SAF is affordable and accessible will be key to achieving lowest cost carbon abatement at the same time as maintaining the essential role of aviation in connecting Australian communities.”
Ry Collins, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor, welcomed the introduction of SAF at Whitsunday Coast Airport, citing the region’s commitment to sustainability and its connection to the Great Barrier Reef.
“It makes absolute sense that Virgin Australia would choose Whitsunday Coast Airport as the launch site for its first ongoing SAF-powered services,” he said.
“We are committed to driving initiatives locally that produce world-class bio-products, so I applaud Virgin Australia and Viva Energy for their commitment to SAF and for recognising the Whitsundays as an ideal location to showcase the benefits of sustainable aviation.
“We are located in one of the most pristine and ecologically significant regions in the world, and as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, we have a responsibility to embrace innovative solutions that reduce our environmental footprint.”
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