Shell pulls out of joint venture to build UK sustainable jet fuels plant

Withdrawal a blow to Boris Johnson's desire for UK to achieve first zero-emission long-haul flight

Shell has pulled out of a joint venture with British Airways and Velocys to build a flagship sustainable jet fuels plant in the UK - in a blow to Boris Johnson's claims that Britain could deliver the world's first zero-emission long-haul flight.

The oil firm was named last year as one of the top companies set to turbocharge government plans" for sustainable aviation fuels, the centrepiece of the so-called jet zero" plan to decarbonise flights.