Safran's Arrius 2R engine is already certified to operate on a 50-50 SAF blend. Bell is working with the company to discover the impact of biofuel on its 505 single engine turbine helicopter.

The first flight of a SAF-fuelled ÖAMTC helicopter is planned for next year. The operator plans to fly using up to 50 per cent sustainable fuel at first, but plans to scale up to 100 per cent in the future.

A new contract with the German federal police will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Germany, which supports more than 300 operators and 2,000 engines across central and eastern Europe and central Asia.