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China starts sustainable aviation fuel pilot

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China starts sustainable aviation fuel pilot

2024-09-20 17:31 Last Updated At:18:07

China on Thursday initiated a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) program in several airports to promote a green and low-carbon transition in the aviation sector.

The program involves China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China.

Starting Friday, 12 flights taking off from Beijing Daxing International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, and Ningbo Lishe International Airport, began using SAF.

At 7:19, a flight refueled with SAF departed from Shuangliu airport and landed safely at Beijing Capital International Airport after a 130-minute journey, marking the first commercial flight using SAF.

"Judging from today's flight conditions, the engine performed well, the fuel consumption was comparable to that of traditional aviation fuel, and the entire flight was smooth," said Tang Zheng, a pilot from Air China's Southwest Branch.

The first phase of the program will run from September to December 2024, before a second phase throughout 2025, during which the number of participants will gradually increase.

SAF is a liquid aviation fuel alternative to traditional jet fuel that meets airworthiness standards and sustainability evaluation standards. Made from renewable materials, it can reduce carbon emissions by about 70 percent over the fuel's life cycle compared to conventional jet fuel.

Approximately 99 percent of the carbon emissions from the civil aviation industry are linked to fuel consumption during flights.

"Sustainable aviation fuel is a true green energy that can cut carbon emissions by over 70 percent over its life cycle. If produced from biomass raw materials, it can reduce emissions by over 85 percent or even achieve zero carbon or negative carbon emissions," said Yang Xiaojun, a researcher at the institute of environment and sustainable development of the Civil Aviation University of China.

Compared with traditional fossil-based jet fuel, SAF has similar energy density and volume density, allowing it to be used directly in the aviation sector without modifications to existing civil aviation infrastructure or aircraft. It is characterized by high safety, advanced technology and significant emission reduction.

China starts sustainable aviation fuel pilot

China starts sustainable aviation fuel pilot

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Slovak PM regards visit to China as most important visit in 2024

2024-11-09 04:30 Last Updated At:07:17

Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, described his early November visit to China as the most important visit of 2024 during an interview with China Media Group (CMG).

Fico paid an official visit to China from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Nov. 1, the two countries agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership.

When explaining why he placed such significant importance on his visit to China, Fico shared his views on China's influence on global affairs.

"Thank you for the interview! I want to say that not only in Slovakia, but in the entire European Union, we have underestimated certain things. We have underestimated not only China's influence on world peace but also its impact on the global economy. This is why I believe it is very appropriate to call this visit 'the most important visit of 2024'," he said.

Fico previously served as Slovakia's prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2018.

He was reappointed to the position in October 2023.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia.

Slovak PM regards visit to China as most important visit in 2024

Slovak PM regards visit to China as most important visit in 2024

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