Cebu Pacific studies other fuel options
CEBU PACIFIC is studying the use of other emerging technologies to replace conventional jet fuel, its top official said.
“There are, I guess, other technologies that are being explored, whether it’s SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), hydrogen or electric,” Alexander G. Lao, president and chief commercial officer of Cebu Pacific, told reporters on the sidelines of a press briefing on Tuesday.
Cebu Pacific is further studying how to utilize these emerging technologies for its flights, Mr. Lao said.
Liquid hydrogen is considered a potential low-carbon fuel for aviation and is said to take long-range flights.
“SAF is the linchpin of it all. That is the most developed anyway,” he said.
The International Air Transport Association has estimated that SAF will contribute 65% of carbon emissions reduction.
Mr. Lao said the company is also looking at hydrogen fuel but admitted that Cebu Pacific is still quite far away from using this technology.
For now, the budget carrier is still tied up with the use of SAF as an alternative to traditional jet fuel although the company is also studying how to best produce the green fuel as supply is still limited.
“There are studies on how to best produce it, so those studies are ongoing,” he added.
On Wednesday, the company launched its second commercial flight powered by SAF although SAF blend has already been integrated into some of its delivery flights, Mr. Lao said.
The company targets to integrate SAF blend across its network by 2030 as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
