Virgin says Australian airlines should reduce emissions by buying greener fuel for overseas carriers

Virgin Australia says emissions reduction laws should be changed to help airlines struggling with a lack of local sustaiable aviation fuel. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Virgin Australia wants emissions reductions laws changed so Australian carriers can buy greener fuel to power other airlines’ planes overseas but be recognised as if it had used the fuel on its domestic flights.

At the Australian Airports Association (AAA) national conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, aviation leaders acknowledged sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was the only currently feasible path for airlines to reach climate commitments without decreasing their operations.