Qantas takes big step towards sustainable future

Australian airline Qantas is ramping up its efforts to be better on the environment

Passengers on Qantas flights will start to notice some big changes over the next couple of years.

The Australian national carrier has announced its officially quitting plastic packaging and utensils altogether.

Knives, forks, bags, wrapping, and cups are among the type of things no longer to be found on flights by 2027.

A look at Qantas’s new targets:

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – 10 per cent use of SAF in the Group’s fuel mix by 2030, and approximately 60 per cent by 2050.
• Waste reduction – Zero single-use plastics by 2027 and zero general waste (excluding quarantine waste) to landfill by 2030.
• Fuel efficiency – Increase fuel efficiency by an average of 1.5 per cent per year to 2030. Achieved through updating our aircraft fleet and using more efficient flight planning, while continuing research into next generation technologies, including hydrogen and battery power.
• Offsets – continue to build our offsetting program particularly into key Australian projects

Leading the biofuels industry:

Qantas says that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is critical to the decarbonisation of the industry. The carrier is setting a target of 10 per cent SAF in fuel uptake by 2030, and approximately 60 per cent by 2050.

Qantas has already started flying with SAF sourced from overseas, with 15 per cent of fuel used out of London comprised of SAF since the beginning of 2022. A second major supply deal has been signed for almost 20 million litres a year of blended SAF out of Californian airports from 2025, with options to increase amounts as production increases. Negotiation on other offshore supply agreements are underway.

SAF is produced from certified bio feedstock, including used cooking oil, sugar cane, forestry residues, animal tallow and other waste products. It is blended with normal jet fuel and produces up to 80 per cent less emissions on a life cycle basis when compared with traditional jet kerosene.

The airline will also tie its climate change goals to the pay packets of its management team from July.

It is also aiming for zero landfill waste by 2030.