Kenya Airways has successfully operated its first flight powered by 50% sustainable aviation fuel on the Nairobi-Cape Town route, the airline said Oct. 23.

The SAF, produced from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids feedstocks, including used cooking oil, was verified under recognized certification systems to ensure traceability and transparency.

The flight was conducted under a mass balance system, aligned with the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation and the International Air Transport Association's Book & Claim principles.

"This flight demonstrates what collaboration and innovation can achieve. It marks a step toward practical solutions that lower our environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency," said Hellen Mwariri, Kenya Airways' chief strategy and innovation officer.

The airline is working with government bodies, local innovators, and international partners, including IATA, SkyTeam, and AFRAA to establish domestic SAF production capabilities by 2026.

The milestone builds on Kenya Airways' earlier collaboration with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which launched Africa's first regional SAF roadmap in October. The initiative aims to scale local SAF production, integrate low-carbon fuels into operations, and reduce life cycle emissions by up to 80%.

Kenya Airways became the first African airline to operate a long-haul SAF-powered flight in May 2023, flying from Nairobi to Amsterdam, and has conducted trials with 2% SAF blends on other routes.

The SAF development in the region is heating up rapidly as Ethiopia is planning a $376 million biofuel complex to reduce reliance on imported jet fuel and expand production of sustainable aviation fuel as part of its broader clean energy transition with the Ethiopian Mineral Corp. -- the state-owned mineral exploration and production company.

The project, to be developed with UK-based Sunbird Bioenergy Africa, will cover about 23,000 hectares and use cassava and sugarcane feedstock to produce biofuels for transport and aviation.

The biorefinery will produce SAF for aviation, targeting a 10% blend.