Red Arrows make history with their sustainable fuel flypast for King's birthday

The Red Arrows have made history by using sustainable fuel and vegetable oil for their flypast over London for the King's birthday.

It follows groundbreaking trials by RAF engineers and logisticians, and it is thought to be the first time in the world that two environmentally friendly fuels have been used at the same time by a national aerobatic team.

The Hawk T1 jets were powered by a blend of sustainable aviation fuel and vegetable oil was used to make the team's trademark vapour trails.

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All nine of the team's fast jets were topped up with a high-ratio blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the team’s base of RAF Waddington before they set off.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King was not involved in the decision but was "delighted" because he has been encouraging the use of the sustainable fuel on royal flights, where possible.

"Using this technology is the latest example of our relentless pursuit of excellence," Squadron Leader Andy King, the Red Arrows' senior engineer who led the project, said.

"The flypast for His Majesty the King is the perfect opportunity to showcase this innovation.

"The vibrant vapour trails that we generate are what sets the Red Arrows apart, and so to be the first aerobatic team in the world to move to a fully sustainable option is really exciting."

SAF is typically made from waste-based low-carbon feedstocks, such as cooking oils or fats.

The sustainable option reduces the lifecycle of carbon emissions, on average by up to 80%, compared to the conventional jet fuel it has replaced.

The SAF is between two-and-a-half and three times more expensive than fossil fuel aviation fuel due to its low availability and the embryonic nature of the market.

"The iconic Red Arrows are one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams and by adopting a more environmentally friendly sustainable aviation fuel, the Royal Air Force is blazing a trail as part of our work to combat climate change," Armed Forces Minister, Luke Pollard, said.

The Red Arrows' season goes until October, with 60 shows planned across the UK and mainland Europe.