King Charles sets major example for royal family with eco-friendly travel

King Charles has been recognized for prioritizing environmentally friendly travel as the monarch opted to use helicopters powered by sustainable aviation fuel.

Since the Royal Household added two new AugustaWestland AW139 helicopters in 2024, members of the Royal family have logged thousands of miles for official visits and personal stops.

A report by GB News report revealed that Prince Anne and Prince William are among the most frequent users.

As for Charles, the King himself has used the aircraft to attend environmental initiatives, sports events and other public engagements, showing a commitment to greener travel.

An Aviation expert noted that the royal flight team carefully plans stops at airports that provide sustainable fuel.

Chief executive of the British Helicopter Association (BHA), Tim Fauchon, hailed Charles for "leading by example" with eco-friendly travel.

"I know full well the Royal Flight do look for a blend,” he said. "You've got to appreciate it comes as an expense.”

“But the helicopter industry is very forward-leaning on doing the (regulatory) clearances for SAF,” he added.

On use of helicopters by the royal family, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said, "Helicopters are a key component of the royal travel plan due to their unique capability to access remote regions of the UK which are not otherwise readily served by other modes of transport."

"They also allow members of the Royal Family to undertake multiple engagements in a given day."