The flight between Lisbon and Ponta Delgada in the Azores was operated by an Airbus A321neo aircraft sporting a retro Tap livery.

The fuel was made up of 39% material of renewable origin, resulting in fewer total emissions compared with traditional jet fuel.

In total, the flight saved 7.1 tonnes of emissions, a 35% reduction versus a typical flight on the same route.

The flight on Friday (22 July) preceded the announcement of a new strategic partnership between Tap, fuel firm Galp and ANA Aeroportos de Portugal to develop, produce and supply SAF "on a large scale".

Fuel will be derived from waste, recycled used oil and other sustainable raw materials, said the partners.

Tap chief executive Christine Ourmieres-Widener said the flight and agreement "marked an important step forward in Tap’s sustainability plan" which has already seen the carrier renew its fleet with more efficient Airbus neo aircraft.

“Aviation faces a considerable challenge that can only be overcome by taking steps such as this, which promote the production of sustainable fuels in sufficient quantities, and at competitive prices, so we can continue moving forward in the green transition of the aviation sector," said Ourmieres-Widener.

"Developing sustainably sourced aviation fuels is a priority for moving towards an increasingly low-carbon industry, knowing that achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require a range of solutions – including electrification, hydrogen solutions, and SAF – working in combination."

The partnership honours the RefuelEU Aviation initiative, which is aiming to increase supply and demand for SAF in the EU – and its use – by 2% in 2025, 5% by 2030 and 63% by 2050.