LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows made aviation history on June 16, 2025, by executing their first public flight with a high-ratio Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend during the King’s Birthday Flypast over Buckingham Palace. The aerobatic team employed a 35% SAF mix in their BAE Hawk T2 aircraft, showcasing the fuel’s viability for high-performance military operations while honoring the monarch’s 77th birthday. This milestone underscores the RAF’s commitment to reducing fossil fuel reliance, aligning with the UK’s target of net-zero aviation by 2040.
SAF, which can reduce lifecycle emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, is increasingly vital for decarbonizing aviation’s 2.5% share of global CO2 emissions. The Red Arrows’ flight utilized a HEFA (Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids) SAF blend, derived from used cooking oil and animal fats, supplied by Neste under a partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The 35% blend exceeds typical commercial aviation limits (currently 10-50% depending on approval), demonstrating technical adaptability for the Hawk T2’s demanding aerobatic profile.
“This flight proves SAF can power our most iconic displays without compromising performance,” said Squadron Leader Jon Bond, Red Arrows Team Leader. “It’s a proud moment for the RAF and a signal to the industry of what’s possible.” The event followed rigorous testing, including ground and flight trials at RAF Waddington, ensuring engine reliability and safety under extreme maneuvers. The MoD’s SAF roadmap, targeting 20% military aviation fuel to be sustainable by 2030, gains momentum from this success.
“This flight proves SAF can power our most iconic displays without compromising performance,” said Squadron Leader Jon Bond, Red Arrows Team Leader.
The demonstration carries strategic weight. With global SAF production at 1.3 billion liters in 2024 (0.3% of jet fuel demand), military adoption can drive demand and innovation, complementing civilian efforts like the EU’s ReFuelEU mandate (6% SAF by 2030). The Red Arrows’ use of a high-ratio blend could encourage regulators, such as EASA and FAA, to expand SAF approval limits, potentially unlocking 15-20% blends for commercial fleets. However, challenges remain, including SAF’s 2-4 times higher cost and feedstock constraints, with the MoD investing £10 million annually to support sustainable fuel trials.
For stakeholders, this event offers lessons. Airlines can leverage military data to justify higher SAF blends, reducing reliance on costly offsets under CORSIA. Producers may prioritize HEFA scalability, as Neste’s supply chain demonstrates, while policymakers can use the RAF’s success to bolster subsidies, like the UK’s £15 million SAF fund. The Red Arrows’ flight also inspires public and industry confidence, with an estimated 1.2 million spectators witnessing the flypast, based on BBC crowd reports.
Looking ahead, the RAF plans further SAF trials, including synthetic e-fuels, to diversify its portfolio. As aviation targets net-zero by 2050, this milestone illustrates how military leadership can accelerate SAF integration, bridging operational and environmental goals.
Source: Innovation News Network, “Red Arrows Perform First Public Flight with SAF for King’s Birthday Flypast,” June 16, 2025.
