Red Arrows adopt sustainable aviation fuel for upcoming airshow

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Red Arrows adopt sustainable aviation fuel for upcoming airshow

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Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Jul 12, 2025

The Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows will fly using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), which will occur from July 18 to 20. This is not their first use of SAF in a public event, as they conducted their initial SAF-powered flypast over London on June 14 for HM King Charles.

During the RIAT airshow, the Red Arrows will utilize both SAF and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to produce their distinctive vapor trails. This event marks the first aerobatic performances by the Red Arrows at an airshow using both SAF and HVO.

According to a statement by RIAT, "the Red Arrows will perform three times on the SAF, as well as feature in various special formation flypasts across the weekend event." Additionally, the RAF's Typhoon display team will also operate on SAF, having performed its first full routine with sustainable fuel at last year's show. The event expects over 170,000 attendees at RAF Fairford from Friday through Sunday.

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Air Space Intelligence, Intel Foundry, and Team Lewis support these flights with HVO supplied by Power Electrics and SAF provided by AFS Aviation. Kate McKinley, Director of People and Sustainability at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises stated: “Their nine-ship team are known across the world, so we are delighted to be hosting this landmark display here at RAF Fairford."

The RAF has been testing sustainable aviation fuel since 2021. They achieved a significant milestone in November 2021 when they successfully flew a microlight powered by synthetic fuel derived from air and water. In 2022, an RAF Voyager became the first large military aircraft to complete a flight powered entirely by 100% SAF.

SAF is made from renewable and waste-based feedstocks like used cooking oil and animal fats. The International Air Transport Association estimates that it could contribute up to 65% of reductions by 2050.

Despite its promise, sustainable aviation fuel faces challenges such as high production costs and limited scalability. Sir Dieter Helm from Oxford University noted: “It's very hard to think there is such a thing as a sustainable aviation fuel.” Some airlines have adjusted their sustainability targets due to technological challenges.