FARNBOROUGH—GA Telesis Engine Services (GATES) will begin using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at its engine testing operation in Finland and has named cargo airline DHL Express as the product's launch customer.
GATES, the Helsinki-based engine repair business of Florida-headquartered GA Telesis, will begin testing engines using SAF supplied by Finnish fuel producer Neste, which says its SAF is made from 100% renewable waste.
As a customer of the SAF engine testing service, DHL will see greenhouse gas emissions emanating from its engine testing operation reduced by up to 80% over the fuel’s lifecycle in comparison to conventional kerosene, GATES says.
German cargo giant DHL Express, which operates a fleet of more than 300 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, is targeting using SAF to meet 30% of its fleet's fuel needs by 2030.
The MRO provider’s engine capabilities include services for GE CF6-80C2 and CFM56 engine families up to full overhauls, with capacity for up to 200 engine overhauls annually. For its engine testing, it operates a test cell capable of up to 100,000 lb. thrust.
GATES President Gunnar Sigurfinnsson says introducing SAF into its operation represents the MRO taking “meaningful action” in reducing its carbon footprint. In addition to SAF usage, GATES says it is exploring and implementing other sustainability initiatives across its operation and is aiming to take a leadership role in sustainability across the aftermarket sector.
DHL has used SAF in its operations for some time, signing large deals with BP and Neste more than two years ago to buy more than 800 million liters (176 million gal.) through 2026. Its overall sustainability roadmap aims to reduce its annual greenhouse gas emissions to fewer than 29 million metric tons of carbon dioxide by 2030 across emission scopes 1, 2 and 3.
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