Jet2 plc, the parent company of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, has announced a significant investment in a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production plant to be built in the North West of England. The plant, which is being developed by Fulcrum BioEnergy Ltd, will be located at the Essar Stanlow Manufacturing Complex in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, and will be one of the first of its kind in the UK aviation sector.
As part of the agreement, Jet2 plc will invest an equity stake in the plant and will receive over 200 million litres of SAF over a 15-year period. This is expected to be one of the longest SAF supply agreements currently available. The strategic location of the plant means that the SAF can be delivered directly to Manchester Airport using existing jet fuel pipework infrastructure, avoiding the need for transportation by road.
Production of SAF at the Fulcrum NorthPoint facility is expected to commence in 2027. Once the plant is at full capacity, it will convert 600,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste into approximately 100 million litres of SAF annually. This is expected to achieve life cycle emissions reductions of around 70% compared to conventional aviation fuel, with the potential to become fully carbon neutral in the future.
The deal means that Jet2.com, the UK’s third-largest airline, will receive a significant volume of SAF produced at the plant. The SAF is expected to achieve net emissions reductions of approximately 400,000 tonnes of CO2 for Jet2.com over the 15-year period of the agreement. This is part of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ commitment to becoming one of the leading brands in sustainable air travel and package holidays.
Jet2.com has been recognised as one of the most carbon-efficient airlines globally and has published a comprehensive sustainability strategy aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050 in line with government targets. The strategy includes the purchase of 98 firm-ordered Airbus A320/A321 neo aircraft, which could eventually extend up to 146 aircraft. This will make travelling with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays more efficient by further reducing emissions per passenger.