In a groundbreaking initiative, scientists in Spain are researching whether used cooking oil can be transformed into sustainable aviation fuel. This innovative effort is supported by the European Union (EU) and could revolutionize the airline industry. Spanish airline Iberia aims to power 10% of its flights with this eco-friendly fuel by 2030. According to Teresa Parejo, Director of Airline Sustainability at Iberia, “There is immense potential to develop a sustainable fuel industry, especially in Spain.” She emphasized the strategic importance of making air travel more environmentally friendly, particularly for connecting Spain’s islands to the mainland.

Currently, producing sustainable kerosene from cooking oil costs three times more than conventional jet fuel. However, experts believe that scaling up production will reduce costs significantly. A new refinery under construction in Andalusia, Spain, is set to become Europe’s largest facility for converting waste into fuel. Meanwhile, Madrid-based company Repsol is exploring alternatives to raw oil for aviation use. In Germany, aerospace researchers conducted tests comparing emissions from traditional fuel and cooking-oil-based fuel. Results showed reduced smoke and ice crystal formation with the latter, contributing to lower global warming effects. The EU has mandated airlines to use at least 2% sustainable fuel, aiming for 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. If successful, this initiative could bring transformative changes to aviation while promoting sustainability.