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Thursday, 20 March 2025: Virgin Australia has entered an agreement with Viva Energy to source Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its flights departing from Proserpine, Queensland, between March and July 2025.
SAF, produced from renewable resources such as waste oils, agricultural residues, and non-food crops, is considered the critical game-changer in the aviation industry’s efforts to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This reflects SAF’s significantly lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions profile compared to that of conventional jet fuel.
Under the terms of the agreement, Viva Energy will provide Virgin Australia with SAF consisting of Jet A1 and a 30-40% synthetic blend component made from waste and residue feedstocks. The blend is fully compatible with existing aircraft and fuelling infrastructure, and all regulatory and safety requirements.
Through this collaboration, Viva Energy will continue to expand its ability to supply SAF-blended jet fuel across Australia utilising its infrastructure assets, while exploring regional SAF delivery, storage and handling, and direct into-wing dispensing.
Commentary from Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, Christian Bennett, said the collaboration with Viva Energy is another step forward in Virgin Australia’s sustainability journey, which recognises the long-term importance of alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions.
“SAF represents the critical long-term opportunity in commercial aviation’s pursuit of its 2050 net zero emissions ambition,” he said.
“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.”
Commentary from Viva Energy
Viva Energy’s General Manager for Aviation, Nick Adams, said the initiative is an important step in the establishment of an ongoing supply of SAF for air travel 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,” he said.
“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.”
Commentary from Whitsunday Regional Council
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor, Ry Collins, has welcomed the introduction of SAF at Whitsunday Coast Airport, calling it a ‘perfect fit’ given the region’s deep connection to the Great Barrier Reef and its commitment to sustainable tourism.
“It makes absolute sense that Virgin Australia would choose Whitsunday Coast Airport as the launch site for its first ongoing SAF-powered services,” Mayor Collins 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.”
Media Enquiries:
Michael Cave
T: +61 409 647 910
E: [email protected]
Virgin Australia – Media Team
T: 1800 142 467
E: [email protected]
About Virgin Australia
Founded in the Year 2000 by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Australia is now one of the largest Australian airlines operating an extensive domestic network as well as short-haul international services, charter and cargo operations. The Group employs more than 7,000 people and has been a competitor in the Australian aviation landscape for 24 years. Virgin Australia is incredibly focused on providing wonderful travel experiences through award-winning service, optionality to fly the way you want to, and value with competitive airfare pricing.
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy (ASX: VEA) is a leading convenience retailer, commercial services and energy infrastructure business, with a history spanning more than 120 years in Australia. The Group operates a convenience and fuel network of almost 900 stores across Australia and supplies fuels and lubricants to a total network of nearly 1,500 service stations.
Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery in Victoria, and operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals, polymers and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 terminals and about 80 airports and airfields across the country. www.vivaenergy.com.au
SAF – where mentioned in the article refers to Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which is a synthetic blending component that is blended with conventional Jet A-1 fuel to produce SAF Blend Jet A1. The maximum blend rate percentage in the final product is set and approved by the relevant annex in the ASTM D7566 standard and subsequently blended with conventional jet fuel and certified to ASTM D1655 (or Defence Standard 91-091) and is supplied as a conventional Jet A-1 fuel.