Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss: “SAF fundamental to meet Net Zero”
“After fleet renewal, SAF is the only viable mid-term solution for decarbonising aviation. It’s fundamental for aviation to meet Net Zero”, says Virgin Atlantic CEO Shai Weiss, discussing the airline's 40th anniversary, growth plans, and commitment to sustainability through SAF and innovation.
Image by Virgin Atlantic
In an interview with TravelWeekly, Weiss is confident about Virgin’s journey and future prospects. Notable highlights of his tenure include the world's first transatlantic flight on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Weiss: “We proved with Flight100 last year – the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight – that SAF is not only safe but can reduce lifecycle emissions of up to 70% as well as provide benefits beyond CO2. Other technologies are decades away for long-haul aviation. SAF is a decarbonisation solution for now.”
Government action needed
In the interview with TravelWeekly, Weiss calls for government action to support SAF production, emphasizing its importance in achieving Net Zero goals. “The challenge for us in our pathway to Net Zero 2050 is the scale-up of SAF. We must now see urgent action from government, oil majors and private capital to invest in the production capacity needed to deliver a UK SAF industry. We’ve proven that if enough SAF is made, we will fly it.”
Operational efficiency
Looking ahead, Virgin Atlantic aims to maintain its pioneering spirit, leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. Weiss envisions the airline continuing to disrupt the industry, ensuring sustainable profitability and exceptional service for the next 40 years.
