GS Caltex, Korean Air to begin biofuel test flights

Bio-jet fuel made with used cooking oils and animal fats will power a cargo plane in test flights for the first time in Korea, GS Caltex said Tuesday.

Representatives from GS Caltex, Korean Air Lines and the government attend a ceremony to commemorate the first test flight using bio-jet fuels in Korea at Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. [MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND ENERGY]

Bio-jet fuel made with used cooking oils and animal fats will power a cargo plane in test flights for the first time in Korea, GS Caltex said Tuesday.

The test flights come as the world strives to cut carbon emissions in aviation.

The energy company held a ceremony that day with Korean Air Lines at Incheon International Airport to commemorate the test flight using aviation biofuels, or so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), procured by GS Caltex from Finland’s Neste.

The event followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between GS Caltex and Korean Air Lines on June 29, which is part of the government’s plan to expand the application of alternative biofuels.

During the ceremony, a Korean Air cargo flight heading to Los Angeles was refueled with aviation biofuels supplied through GS Caltex’s global value chain. It marks the first case of aviation biofuel application in Korea.

There will be six test flights, twice every month, with a 2 percent SAF blended jet fuel.

The Korea Petroleum Quality & Distribution Authority will collect samples of the biofuels to verify their quality and safety while also analyzing performance through test flights.

The biofuel, branded as Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, is produced with used cooking oils and animal fats. It can cut carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared to traditional jet fuels. GS Caltex is the first company in Korea to import SAF from Neste, the world’s largest biofuel supplier.

In order to enhance reliability in the biofuel supply, GS Caltex acquired ISSC EU, International Sustainability & Carbon Certification providing proof of compliance with European regulations, in August. GS is the first Korean oil refiner to receive the certification.

The latest ceremony was attended by GS Caltex Executive Vice President Kim Chang-soo, Korean Air Senior Vice President Cho Seong-bae, and representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

“GS Caltex will be able to contribute to Korea’s first step toward reducing carbon emissions in aviation,” said Kim, adding that “we will continue to make various efforts to establish a foundation to further expand bio-jet fuel applications by extending cooperation with our clients and more.”

As the International Civil Aviation Organization member states agreed to achieve net zero emissions in aviation by 2050, the Korean government also set up a public-private alliance to speed up biofuel adoption in transport last year.

France currently requires at least a 1 percent share of SAF in aviation fuels, and the European Union plans to mandate SAF use at a minimum of 2 percent starting 2025, according to the Energy Ministry.

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]