Airbus is to collaborate with two major airlines, European low-cost operator Wizz Air and full-service Taiwanese international carrier EVA Air, to help each prepare for the imminent introduction of sustainable aviation fuel. The airframer will partner with Wizz Air for SAF-powered trials of Airbus A321neo jets on two key routes, from Barcelona and Brussels Charleroi to the airline’s hub in Budapest, in readiness for the introduction next year of the SAF usage mandates at EU airports under the ReFuelEU plan. Airbus will also work with EVA Air for the next two years to explore multiple ways to help decarbonise the carrier’s flights while also preparing for the introduction of SAF. Their sustainability partnership was announced in Taipei during an event to mark the airline’s order for 33 new Airbus jets.

Like a growing number of carriers, Wizz Air has committed that SAF will comprise 10% of its total jet fuel use by 2030. Its test flights with Airbus, to occur before the end of this year, are designed to help operationally prepare the airline for the EU’s escalating blending mandates, which from next year will require at least 2% of total fuel uplift to be SAF.

Airbus will provide technical guidance and expertise to help maximise the efficient integration of SAF across Wizz Air’s operation while product for the trials will be supplied by Spanish refiner Cepsa and distributed to the departure airports by World Fuel Services, a division of Florida-based energy group World Kinect.

The airline will buy up to 34 metric tons of pure SAF, of which 16 metric tons will be uplifted through blends of up to 5% for the flights from Barcelona-El Prat Airport and 18 metric tons of neat SAF in a 10% blend will be provided at Brussels Charleroi.

The Wizz Air project will be conducted using the mass balancing method, through which SAF use is tracked across an airline’s network and its environmental benefits allocated to specific flights, regardless of where the fuel is physically used, enabling carriers to support SAF production and use globally.

“With this project,” said the airline, “Wizz Air is taking steps to incorporate SAF into its operations, on top of leveraging the fuel efficiency of the Airbus A321neo aircraft, testing the alignment with regulatory frameworks ahead of schedule and working to understand passengers’ awareness of SAF and surrounding policies.”

Yvonne Moynihan, the airline’s Corporate and ESG Officer, said the project demonstrated cross-industry collaboration to reduce aviation’s emissions intensity, while building broader awareness of measures to make air transport more sustainable.

“We are not only testing SAF operations but also gathering insights from our passengers on their awareness of levers to decarbonise aviation,” she said.

Results of the survey will be released publicly, not only to highlight passenger expectations but also to guide the aviation industry in enhancing sustainability efforts.

“Fuel-efficient aircraft and SAF will provide the majority of the emissions reductions our industry needs to make by 2050,” added Julie Kitcher, Airbus’ Chief Sustainability Officer, “which is why working together with partners like Wizz Air to efficiently integrate SAF across airline operations is such an important step.”

Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation for the SAF producer, Cepsa, welcomed the trial flights with WizzAir as “an immediate solution to help decarbonise flights” and “an important initiative to move towards effective emissions reduction ahead of the ReFuelEU mandate.”

The exercise was also a key step in the broader introduction of SAF, added Duncan Storey, World Fuel’s SVP supply and commercial development, EMEA.

“Aligning with the upcoming ReFuelEU aviation requirements is an important milestone in our efforts to expand the availability of sustainable fuels,” he said. “Since 2015, we been actively working to increase the availability of lower-carbon aviation fuels across the globe. Our SAF supply network in Europe includes multiple key locations such as the UK, Germany and France.”

Madrid-based Cepsa is changing its name to Moeve in a phased rollout beginning in November.

“I’m thrilled to announce that a great brand, Cepsa, which has been with us for over 90 years, is transforming and to tell the world that we’re becoming a different type of organisation, Moeve, in which the majority of profits will come from sustainable activities by the end of this decade,” said the company’s CEO, Maarten Wetselaar. “This well-known and collaborative company has rapidly accelerated its transformation over the past two years, reaching multiple milestones outlined in its 2030 Positive Motion strategy. Building on these achievements and those still to come, we are introducing a new brand that reflects our steadfast commitment to leading Europe’s energy transition, particularly in green hydrogen, second-generation biofuels and ultra-fast electric mobility.”

Across the world in Taipei, Taiwan, Airbus inked another sustainability partnership, this time a two-year collaboration with customer airline EVA Air, during an event to celebrate orders by the carrier for 18 long-haul Airbus A350-1000 twinjets and 15 narrowbody A321neo aircraft, which the companies estimate will reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to earlier model jets.

“The agreement lays the foundation for the two companies to explore over the next 24 months avenues for decarbonisation within EVA Air’s operations, prepare the ecosystem for sustainable aviation fuel adoption and ensure infrastructure readiness,” said the airline.

“These efforts will ensure that we can steadily move towards a net zero future,” added the carrier’s President, Clay Sun.

Airbus Commercial Aircraft CEO Christian Scherer said the planemaker was deepening its collaboration with EVA Air in line with a broader ambition to help decarbonise the aviation sector.

The two companies will study measures needed to prepare for the use of SAF to power commercial flights, as well as establishing procurement processes and managing certification of SAF. Airbus will also evaluate the potential contributions of multiple measures based on EVA’s current and future routes, and its operational practices.

Top image (Airbus): Airbus will partner with Wizz Air for SAF-powered trials of the airline’s A321neo jets

Bottom photo: EVA Air and Airbus mark decarbonisation agreement

Tony Harrington

Correspondent

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A slew of new sustainable aviation fuel initiatives have been announced in the US, including major supplies for United Airlines and JetBlue at their respective hubs in Chicago and New York, Airbus investing in emerging SAF producer LanzaJet and UK start-up Firefly Green Fuels partnering with US biosolids feedstock provider Synagro Technologies to produce low carbon fuel in North America. United will receive up to 1 million gallons (3,000 tonnes) of SAF during 2024 from Finland’s Neste, which has just commissioned a new terminal facility in Houston, Texas, while JetBlue will take at least 1 million gallons from World Fuel Services, potentially by the fourth quarter of this year. European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, meanwhile, has joined a list of big-name investors in LanzaJet, which recently activated the world’s first ethanol-to-SAF facility, Freedom Pines Fuels in Georgia.

By signing for SAF from Neste’s newly-commissioned SAF terminal capacity at ONEOK’s Galena Park Terminal facility in Houston, Texas, United, the world’s third biggest airline, will become the first carrier to buy SAF to power regular commercial flights from Chicago O’Hare, the third busiest airport in the US.

The new capacity at ONEOK’s terminal provides Neste with storage capacity of up to 100,000 tons (around 33.5 million gallons) and is directly connected to the energy pipeline infrastructure in the eastern part of the US. The SAF is expected to be piped to Chicago from August, expanding the availability of Neste’s product to airlines operating from east of the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast.

The deal has been underpinned by the Illinois SAF Purchase Credit, introduced last year for every gallon of the fuel sold to or used by an airline in the state.

“This is what happens when innovation, leadership and policy come together,” said United President Brett Hart, who praised the Illinois Legislature and State Governor JB Pritzker for introducing the incentives which powered the SAF deal at Chicago O’Hare. “While the market for SAF is still in its infancy, there is a huge opportunity today for airlines and policymakers to work together to support its continued growth.”

Alexander Kueper, Neste’s VP, Renewable Aviation Business, said the deal expanded an existing partnership with United, which has already procured Neste SAF in San Francisco and at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. “We are excited to expand our partnership with United and see our SAF being used at one of the major airports in the US,” he said. “It underlines our commitment to supporting the US aviation industry in its efforts to decarbonise and shows the important role that policy supports like the federal SAF 40B credit and the Illinois SAF Purchase Credit play in accelerating SAF usage.”

JetBlue, too, is ramping up its SAF use, signing with US-based World Fuel Services to provide the first regular supply of blended SAF to New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, pumped in via existing infrastructure including the Colonial Pipeline, America’s largest pipeline system for refined fuel products.

Neat SAF produced by Diamond Green Diesel will be blended with conventional jet fuel by Valero Marketing and Supply Company, then delivered to World Fuel. The airline will acquire at least 1 million gallons of neat SAF, equivalent to 3.3 million gallons of blended fuel, potentially as early as the fourth quarter of this year. It will also have an option to procure up to 4 million gallons more (about 13.3 million gallons blended), though the timeline for the additional fuel was not disclosed.

“This newly available SAF in our hometown is a key signal of the growing engagement by major fuel producers and the potential of SAF to meaningfully address aviation’s carbon emissions,” said Sara Bogdan, the airline’s Managing Director of sustainability and environmental social governance. “By leveraging Valero’s globally recognised expertise in energy markets and logistics, and by utilising existing jet fuel distribution infrastructure, this new, large-scale supply of SAF is set to be a pivotal moment as the industry grows the use of SAF.”

Brad Hurwitz, World Fuel’s SVP, Supply and Trading, welcomed the JetBlue deal to bring SAF to JFK Airport, strengthening the energy company’s ambition to develop a consistent flow of the fuel to the US east coast.

“Today, as a result of state-level programmes incentivising the use of renewable fuels, the majority of domestically supplied blended SAF is delivered into west coast airports,” he said. “Engagement across public and private sectors is needed to expand the supply of SAF to more cities and grow the economies of scale.”

Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has become the latest investor to support US-based SAF producer LanzaJet, strengthening that company’s plans to produce the fuel not only in America but in multiple other markets. To scale its alcohol-to-jet fuel technology, LanzaJet is involved in projects in 25 countries across five continents.

By participating in LanzaJet’s s latest growth equity funding round, Airbus joined a high-profile list of investors and funders including All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Southwest Airlines, French airports company Groupe ADP, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund, sustainable finance group Breakthrough Energy, Shell, Suncor Energy and Japan’s Mitsui & Co and MUFG Bank.

“Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the most important levers available to decarbonise aviation, but their production is still limited,” said Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Airbus, echoing a consistent and increasing concern in the aviation sector. “Our partnership with LanzaJet demonstrates Airbus ’commitment to work with leading energy technology suppliers to explore innovative production pathways and scale SAF.

“This important partnership with LanzaJet underlines the importance of new technologies and cross-sector collaboration to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.”

The renewable fuel company uses low-carbon ethanol to create SAF, a process it says will reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional fossil-based jet fuels.  

“LanzaJet intentionally developed a diverse portfolio of strategic investors consisting of leading global companies to ensure we have the ecosystem to scale the SAF industry,” said CEO Jimmy Samartzis. “This important investment from Airbus supports the growth of our company, enabling LanzaJet to scale the production and deployment of SAF to continue working towards meeting aviation’s decarbonisation goals and developing a more sustainable industry.”

LanzaJet is involved in developing a SAF production project – Project Speedbird – in the UK in partnership with British Airways and Nova Pangaea Technologies. In the reverse direction, UK-based start-up Firefly Green Fuels, whose technology converts sewage sludge into high performance fuels including SAF, has announced that Baltimore-headquartered Synagro will be the exclusive supplier of biosolid content in the American market.

Firefly uses as process called hydrothermal liquefaction to chemically transform biosolid waste into biocrude and biochar, the former upgraded to SAF and the remainder to other uses including fertiliser. It recently secured investment funding from a partnership of Boeing and sustainable investment group Clear Sky. 

“This is a perfect partnership with monumental implications,” said Synagro’s CEO, Bob Preston. “We’re pairing Synagro’s expertise in sustainable solutions for biosolids with Firefly’s SAF technology to evolve the circular economy.”  

James Hygate, CEO of Firefly Green Fuels, said there was a huge requirement for SAF in North America, the world’s biggest combined air transport market. “By working together, we can bring operations online quickly, creating new jobs and vast volumes of truly sustainable fuel.”

Photo: United will become the first carrier to power regular commercial flights from Chicago O’Hare with SAF

Tony Harrington

Correspondent

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A Ryanair deal with global energy group Repsol and the launch by Italian carrier ITA Airways of its ‘Fly with SAF’ programme, together with the signing of an agreement with logistics provider DB Schenker, and a Neste agreement with World Fuel Services are among a number of new European sustainable aviation fuel initiatives. Ryanair and Repsol have signed a MoU to advance the supply of SAF at airports used by Ryanair across Spain and Portugal. The ITA programme offers freight forwarders and shippers the possibility of supporting the purchase of SAF and thus reducing their CO2 emissions while shipping their goods. In Hungary, energy and petrochemicals company MOL, in cooperation with Neste, Budapest Airport, Wizz Air and airport fuel supplier RÜK have started commercially testing a SAF supply chain to prepare the fuel supply system ahead of the EU SAF mandate introduction in 2025. With greater volumes of SAF available from Neste, World Fuel Services is increasing the number of European airports it can supply with SAF from 13 to over 40.

Ryanair’s agreement with Repsol gives Europe’s largest low-cost carrier access to up to 155,000 tonnes (52 million gallons) of SAF between 2025 and 2030 – equivalent to over 28,000 flights from Dublin to Madrid – and saving around 490,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

“SAF plays a key role in Ryanair’s Pathway to Net Zero strategy and our goal of using 12.5% SAF by 2030,” said Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson. “Achieving this requires multiple different feedstocks and production methods, and we’re encouraged that Repsol are looking at multiple solutions. This agreement helps Ryanair secure access to around 15% of this ambitious goal.”

ITA Airways’ Fly with SAF has been designed for cargo companies and companies whose staff fly for work and contributions will be entirely used by the airline to cover the extra cost of SAF, with customers choosing their level of commitment. DB Schenker is the first partner to enter the programme.

The Italian flag carrier is taking part in the 2023 edition of the SkyTeam airline alliance’s The Sustainable Flight Challenge, following its success last year when it won two awards. ITA will participate with four flights involving a round-trip Airbus A330 flight on May 20 from Rome Fiumicino to Miami and its return journey the same day, followed by return flights between Rome and Barcelona on May 28 using an Airbus A320neo. Activities will include the use of SAF, more sustainable catering, waste recycling and use of compostable materials, and use of accredited carbon offsets meeting internationally-recognised standards.

The SAF testing at Budapest Airport started on May 10 with Wizz Air flights using a blend of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel supplied by MOL. Wizz Air’s three newest Airbus A321neo aircraft were fuelled with a total blend of 23.5 tonnes containing 37% SAF and 63% Jet A1 fuel. The aircraft carried passengers from Budapest to Paris and several other European destinations.

Commented Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer at Wizz Air: “Our SAF test, which is ahead of the legislative mandates coming in 2025, demonstrates that industry collaboration is one of the most impactful ways to address the current climate challenge. The initiative at Budapest Airport is a testament to our broader strategy, with alternative fuels playing a significant role.”

MOL itself is aiming to enter the SAF production market. “So far, we have mainly taken steps in road transport fuels. At our Danube refinery, for example, we have been co-processing vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats with fossil components since 2021 to produce more sustainable diesel,” said Csaba Zsótér, SVP of MOL Group’s Downstream Fuels. “We are now moving into a new area, working with our partners to gain experience in aviation fuels to make aviation more sustainable. I am confident that the first SAF shipment, which is now being launched as a commercial test, will be followed by many more.”

The expansion of production by Neste is enabling fuel supplier World Fuel Services to increase deliveries of SAF to its commercial, business and general aviation customers at over 40 European airports, paving the way for future accessibility of SAF to more than 100 airport locations presently in World Fuel’s European network.

“We are confident this agreement and deeper collaboration with Neste will serve to accelerate our ability to support customers in their decarbonisation ambitions across the globe,” said Duncan Storey, VP Supply Aviation Europe, World Fuel Services.

Responded Alexander Kueper, VP EMEA Renewable Aviation at Neste: “We are excited to expand our collaboration with World Fuel as we increase our annual SAF production capability to 1.5 million tons per annum by the beginning of 2024.”

Photo: ITA Airways Airbus A350 in ‘Born to be sustainable’ livery

Christopher Surgenor

Editor

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Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production on the US West Coast has been boosted with the announcement that Boeing will invest in SkyNRG Americas’ first dedicated SAF plant in the country, while JetBlue Airways said it will increase its usage of SAF by taking World Energy’s product for its operations at Los Angeles International Airport. SkyNRG, which is based in the Netherlands, is looking to establish a series of SAF production plants, with the first planned to come online in Europe, reports Mark Pilling. Its recently formed US subsidiary SkyNRG Americas said the US SAF facility will supply airports and airlines on the West Coast. Boeing’s investment in the project includes the advance purchase of SAF from the facility for use in company flight tests and other operations. At this stage, neither the location of the US SkyNRG SAF plant nor the scale of Boeing’s investment have been announced. Meanwhile, JetBlue’s new SAF deal with World Energy and World Fuel Services has already started with fuelling of the airline’s flights at Los Angeles.

Boeing, SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas said they will work together to accelerate SAF development globally, focusing on scaling production capacity, building awareness and engaging stakeholders throughout the value chain, including airlines, governments and environmental organisations. “Sustainable aviation fuels are safe, proven and offer the greatest potential to reduce our industry’s carbon emissions in the near, medium and long term,” said Boeing Chief Sustainability Officer Chris Raymond. “This partnership is an important milestone on our journey to decarbonise aerospace, while ensuring that its societal and economic benefits are available to people everywhere.”

“We are extremely proud to take the longstanding Boeing-SkyNRG relationship to this new level. We have always been strong collaborators and through this teaming effort, we’re strengthening our relationship even further,” said Maarten van Dijk, Managing Director of SkyNRG.

Added John Plaza, Chief Executive of SkyNRG Americas: “We are thrilled to be in this partnership with Boeing and grateful for their leadership by providing an advance payment for SAF from our first facility. With this teaming agreement, SkyNRG Americas will be able to accelerate our efforts to expand the SAF industry throughout North America.”

Boeing becomes the second announced partner in SkyNRG Americas’ SAF production project following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April between the firm and Alaska Airlines to jointly invest in its production, supply and use via offtakes. The MoU allows for Alaska Airlines to “collaborate on the development of SkyNRG Americas’ Direct Supply Line (DSL) projects and supporting policies that increase the commercial supply and pricing of SAF and educate the public on the benefits of SAF produced from municipal solid waste and associated waste streams,” a spokesperson for SkyNRG told GreenAir.

JetBlue’s new relationship with World Energy and World Fuel Services will increase JetBlue’s usage of SAF and will include 1.5 million gallons of blended SAF a year for at least three years, accounting for approximately 5% of JetBlue’s fuel uplift at Los Angeles International.

“JetBlue is facing climate change head on and preparing our business for a new climate reality,” said Sara Bogdan, JetBlue’s Director of Sustainability and ESG. “We are focused on growing our use of sustainable aviation fuel to replace conventional fossil-based jet fuel in our focus cities as it becomes available. It has not historically had the same policy support as other low carbon fuels and comes at a premium today. We’re excited by the prospect of additional policy support to help grow and scale sustainable aviation fuel, helping to usher in a lower-carbon future for aviation.”

The Los Angeles announcement follows JetBlue’s move to fuel flights from San Francisco International Airport with SAF from Neste. JetBlue is World Energy’s second US commercial airline partner to incorporate SAF into its regular operations. Delivery of the fuel into Los Angeles will be managed by World Fuel Services, JetBlue’s fuel management company. “JetBlue is taking aggressive action utilising tools available today to deliver on their net zero carbon emissions goals,” said Bryan Sherbacow, Chief Commercial Officer at World Energy. “Expanding commercial use of sustainable aviation fuel is critical in changing the industry’s carbon outcomes.”

The move by JetBlue at Los Angeles, one of the carriers most successful and busiest markets, and the SAF initiatives of other carriers, is strongly supported by the airport. “Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals, including net zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable energy for LAX facilities by 2045,” said LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci.

JetBlue has aggressive sustainability targets including the conversion of 10% of total jet fuel to be from blended SAF by 2030 and the conversion of 40% of three main ground service equipment vehicle types to electric by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Renewable fuel options will play a critical role in the aviation industry’s transition to lower-carbon operations, it said. Its ambitious ESG targets include a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040. Last year, JetBlue became the first major US airline to achieve carbon neutrality on all domestic flying, primarily through buying carbon offsets.

Photo: Boeing

Mark Pilling

GreenAir Contributing Editor

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