Antwerp Airport debuts Swift 100R fuel in Benelux’s first lead-free flight

Key Takeaways

• Antwerp Airport hosted first Benelux flight using unleaded Swift 100R fuel on May 23, 2025.
• Swift 100R is FAA STC-approved for Cessna 172R/S with Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines.
• ASTM International approval pending in 2025 for wider commercial rollout of Swift 100R.

On May 23, 2025, Antwerp Airport made history by hosting the Benelux region’s first flight powered by Swift 100R fuel. This event, carried out in partnership with Styl Aviation, marks a major step for Belgium 🇧🇪, the Netherlands 🇳🇱, and Luxembourg 🇱🇺 in their move toward cleaner skies. The use of Swift 100R, a new unleaded aviation fuel, signals a shift away from leaded fuels that have long been a concern for both health and the environment. This development is not just a technical achievement—it’s a sign of changing times for airports, pilots, and communities across the Benelux.

What Happened and Why It Matters

Who: Antwerp Airport and Styl Aviation
What: First Benelux flight using Swift 100R, an unleaded, high-octane aviation fuel
When: May 23, 2025
Where: Antwerp Airport, Belgium 🇧🇪
Why: To lead the transition away from leaded aviation fuel, improving environmental and public health
How: By using Swift 100R in a certified aircraft under strict regulatory approval

This flight is important because it shows that airports and operators in the Benelux are ready to adopt new, safer fuels. Swift 100R is designed to replace the old leaded Avgas 100LL, which has been used for decades but is now seen as a risk to people and the planet. The move is part of a wider push in Europe and around the world to get rid of lead in aviation.

What Is Swift 100R Fuel?

Swift 100R is a new type of aviation gasoline (avgas) made by Swift Fuels, a company based in the United States 🇺🇸. Unlike traditional avgas, which contains lead, Swift 100R is completely unleaded. It has a high octane rating (100), which means it can be used in many types of piston-powered aircraft, including those that need more powerful fuel.

Key features of Swift 100R:
– Unleaded: No lead, making it safer for people and the environment
– High-octane: Suitable for many aircraft engines that need strong fuel
– Direct replacement: Designed to be used instead of Avgas 100LL, with no major changes needed for approved aircraft

Current Status: Who Can Use Swift 100R?

Right now, Swift 100R is not available everywhere. It’s only allowed for use in certain aircraft that have received special approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States 🇺🇸. This approval is called a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Only aircraft and engine combinations listed in the STC can use Swift 100R, and only at airports that are part of the restricted rollout, like Antwerp Airport.

Certification and Regulatory Details:
– FAA STC Approval: As of September 6, 2024, Swift 100R is approved for Cessna 172 Skyhawk models R and S with Lycoming IO-360-L2A engines.
– ASTM International: The fuel is still being reviewed by ASTM International, which sets global standards for aviation fuels. Full approval is expected in 2025.
– Restricted Use: Only aircraft with the right STC can use Swift 100R, and only at certain airports.

For more information about FAA certifications and the STC process, you can visit the official FAA website.

Why Is This Change Happening?

The main reason for switching to Swift 100R is to get rid of lead in aviation fuel. Leaded avgas, like 100LL, has been linked to health problems, especially for children living near airports. It also harms the environment by polluting air and soil. Many countries have already banned lead in car fuel, but small airplanes have been one of the last places where lead is still used.

Benefits of Swift 100R:
– No lead emissions: Protects people’s health and the environment
– Meets high engine needs: Works in many powerful aircraft engines
– Supports global goals: Helps countries meet their promises to reduce pollution

Who Is Involved?

Several important groups are part of this change:

• Antwerp Airport: Hosting the first Benelux flight with Swift 100R, showing leadership in green aviation.
• Styl Aviation: Operated the first flight, helping test and prove the new fuel.
• Swift Fuels: The company that makes and supplies Swift 100R. Their CEO, Chris d’Acosta, believes 2025 will be the year Swift 100R becomes the main unleaded avgas.
• FAA and ASTM International: These organizations make sure the fuel is safe and works well in many types of aircraft.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Swift Fuels is the only company right now working to get both FAA and ASTM approval for a 100-octane unleaded avgas, which is needed for wide use in the aviation industry.

How Does This Affect Aircraft Owners and Operators?

If you own or operate a small airplane, this change could affect you soon. Here’s what you need to know:

Step-by-Step: Using Swift 100R

1. Check if your aircraft is eligible: Only certain aircraft and engines are approved for Swift 100R. You need to check the FAA STC list to see if yours is included.
2. Register for use: Some airports may require you to register your aircraft before you can use Swift 100R.
3. Follow fueling rules: Use the fuel only at approved airports and follow all safety instructions.
4. Monitor your flights: Keep track of how your aircraft performs and report any problems. This helps with future approvals and safety.

What If Your Aircraft Isn’t Approved Yet?

If your aircraft isn’t on the approved list, you’ll need to wait until Swift Fuels and the FAA expand the STC to cover more models. Swift Fuels plans to add more aircraft, including turbocharged engines and piston helicopters, throughout 2025.

What Does This Mean for Airports and Fuel Suppliers?

Airports like Antwerp Airport are leading the way by offering Swift 100R. But this also means they need to make changes:

• Fuel storage: Airports may need new tanks or equipment to handle the new fuel safely.
• Training: Staff must learn how to handle and store Swift 100R.
• Inventory changes: Fuel suppliers will need to adjust their supply chains as more airports switch to unleaded avgas.

The Bigger Picture: Environmental and Health Benefits

Switching to Swift 100R is about more than just airplanes. It’s a big step for public health and the environment:

• No more lead pollution: Lead from avgas can get into the air, soil, and water, causing health problems, especially for children.
• Cleaner air: Removing lead means cleaner air around airports and in nearby communities.
• Supports climate goals: Many countries, including those in the Benelux, have promised to cut pollution. Switching to unleaded fuel helps meet these goals.

What’s Next? The Road to Full Approval

Swift 100R is currently only available on a restricted basis, but this is expected to change soon. Here’s what’s coming:

• ASTM International Approval: Full approval is expected in 2025. This will allow Swift 100R to be sold more widely.
• More aircraft approved: Swift Fuels plans to get approval for more types of aircraft, making the fuel available to more pilots.
• Market expansion: As more airports and aircraft switch to Swift 100R, it could become the standard fuel, replacing both UL94 and 100LL.

How Many Aircraft Could Benefit?

There are over 225,000 piston-powered aircraft in the United States 🇺🇸 alone that could eventually use unleaded avgas like Swift 100R. Swift Fuels aims for 100R to be usable by 75% of the piston-powered fleet by the end of 2025.

What About Competing Fuels?

Other companies are also working on unleaded avgas, like General Aviation Modifications Inc. (GAMI) with G100UL and LyondellBasell/VP Racing Fuels with UL100E. However, these fuels have not reached the same level of regulatory approval or industry support as Swift 100R.

What Do Stakeholders Say?

Airport Operators:
They see this change as a way to reduce pollution and get ready for future rules that may ban leaded fuel.

Aircraft Owners:
Many are happy about the move away from lead, but some worry about how long it will take for their aircraft to be approved and whether the new fuel will be easy to find.

Fuel Suppliers:
They need to plan for new storage and delivery systems as more airports switch to Swift 100R.

Regulators:
They stress the need for careful testing and agreement on standards to make sure the new fuel is safe for everyone.

Background: Why Was Lead Used in Aviation Fuel?

Leaded avgas was first used because it helped prevent engine knocking (a type of engine problem) and allowed engines to run at higher power. But over time, the dangers of lead became clear. Lead is a poison that can cause serious health problems, especially in children. Most car fuels have been unleaded for years, but small airplanes have been slower to change because they need high-octane fuel.

Swift Fuels first introduced UL94, an unleaded avgas for less powerful engines. Now, with Swift 100R, they are targeting more powerful engines, which make up a large part of the general aviation fleet.

Timeline: Key Milestones

• September 6, 2024: FAA grants STC for Swift 100R in Cessna 172R/S models.
• May 23, 2025: First Benelux flight using Swift 100R at Antwerp Airport.
• 2025 (expected): Full ASTM International approval and wider rollout.

What Should Pilots and Aircraft Owners Do Now?

• Stay informed: Check for updates from Swift Fuels, the FAA, and your local airport.
• Check your aircraft’s eligibility: Look up the FAA STC list to see if you can use Swift 100R.
• Plan for the future: As more aircraft are approved, think about how switching to unleaded fuel could benefit your operations.

Official Resources

• Antwerp Airport: antwerp-airport.com
• Swift Fuels: swiftfuelsavgas.com
• FAA: faa.gov
• ASTM International: astm.org

Summary Table: Key Facts

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for Benelux and Beyond?

The launch of Swift 100R at Antwerp Airport is more than just a local event. It’s a sign that the Benelux is ready to lead in sustainable aviation. As more airports and aircraft switch to unleaded fuel, the benefits will spread—cleaner air, safer communities, and a stronger commitment to protecting the environment.

For pilots, airport operators, and fuel suppliers, the next year will bring changes and new opportunities. Staying informed and prepared will help everyone make the most of this important transition.

Action Steps:
– Pilots: Check if your aircraft is eligible for Swift 100R and follow all safety guidelines.
– Airport Operators: Prepare for changes in fuel storage and staff training.
– Fuel Suppliers: Plan for new inventory and delivery systems.
– Communities: Expect cleaner air and less pollution as leaded fuels are phased out.

As the world moves toward greener aviation, the first Swift 100R flight at Antwerp Airport stands as a milestone for the Benelux and a model for others to follow.

Learn Today

Swift 100R → Unleaded aviation gasoline with 100-octane rating designed to replace leaded Avgas 100LL safely.
FAA STC → Supplemental Type Certificate approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration permitting fuel use in specific aircraft.
ASTM International → Global standards organization reviewing and approving technical fuel specifications for aviation use worldwide.
Avgas 100LL → Traditional leaded aviation gasoline used in piston-powered aircraft, known for its environmental and health concerns.
Piston-powered aircraft → Airplanes powered by piston engines typically requiring high-octane aviation fuel like Avgas or Swift 100R.

This Article in a Nutshell

Antwerp Airport pioneered Benelux’s first flight powered by Swift 100R, an unleaded aviation fuel. This move signals a major shift toward cleaner skies by replacing toxic leaded fuels, benefiting health, environment, and aviation sustainability in the region.
— By VisaVerge.com