A Closer Look: will plant-based jet fuel reduce airlines' carbon footprint?

A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

Emirates Airline made history this week with the first flight in the Mena region powered by 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel.

One engine ran on the biofuel while the other used regular jet fuel to act as a baseline for comparison.

The flight lasted an hour, completing a loop over the sea.

So how much does this new plant-based fuel reduce CO2 emissions and is it feasible for every airline in the world to use it?

Host Sarah Forster speaks to reporter Deena Kamel about what this test flight means for the future of aviation.

Emirates Airline tests 100 per cent biofuel in one engine: in pictures

Emirates successfully tested a Boeing 777 with one engine entirely powered by sustainable aviation fuel. All photos: Andrew Scott / The National
Specially chosen pilots flew the plane for an hour to test the performance of the sustainable aviation fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel emits 75-80 per cent less CO2 per lifecycle
By 2030, every plane made by Boeing will fly using sustainable aviation fuel
It is the first commercial flight to use biofuel
Emirates plans to run the same test flight with an Airbus A380
The Boeing 777-300ER was the first in the Mena region to be powered by 100% SAF in one of two engines