The airport, part of Manchester Airports Group, will work with Fulcrum BioEnergy Limited UK, which is developing a new refinery for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in nearby Cheshire.
Under the deal, SAF will be supplied to Manchester airport through an existing pipeline running between the Fulcrum NorthPoint refinery at Stanlow and the airport.
This type of sustainable fuel can be blended with traditional aviation fuel so that it can be used to power existing aircraft and cut emissions.
Neil Robinson, MAG’s CSR and airspace change director, said: “Today really is a landmark moment in our journey towards a decarbonised aviation sector.
“By working towards a future supply of SAF, direct to Manchester airport via existing pipelines from a local refinery, we’re making sustainable operations accessible for airlines based here.
“The introduction of SAF is testament to the innovation we have seen, and the collaboration between airports, airlines, the government and suppliers like Fulcrum to achieve real progress towards our goal of net zero for UK aviation by 2050.”
Fulcrum NorthPoint is set to produce around 100 million litres of SAF per year, which when blended 50/50 with traditional jet fuel, could fill the tanks of 1,200 Boeing 777-300s.
Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added: “This partnership is a huge leap forward for the long-term competitiveness of Britain’s aerospace sector, demonstrating how, by going green, industry can create jobs and help level up across the UK.
“Cleaner aerospace and aviation is at the centre of our plans to end the UK’s contribution to climate change by 2050.”
