LONDON – Air France-KLM doubled its Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) pledge by purchasing 1.6 million tonnes from Neste and DG Fuels.
The two binding multi-year contracts will help the airline integrate at least 10% SAF on all its flights by the end of this decade.
The first fuel deliveries are expected to take place next year.
In detail, Neste will supply one million tons between 2023 and 2030, with DG Fuels supplying 600,000 tons between 2027 and 2036.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, commented on this large order from SAF:
“Decarbonization is the biggest challenge the aviation industry has ever faced. Air France-KLM is activating all available levers to reduce its environmental impact: fleet renewal, eco-piloting and increased use of certified sustainable fuels for aviation,”
“The contracts we have signed embody our long-term commitment to developing SAF production capabilities worldwide for the benefit of the industry as a whole.”
“We look forward to working with Neste and DG Fuels, with whom we have established strong partnerships that will pave the way for the creation of a global network of suppliers capable of meeting our future needs.”
Air France-KLM noted that the purchase of this fuel will avoid approximately 4.7 million tonnes of CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels.
In addition to this, the group has stated that its sourcing policy for SAF is based on fuels that do not compete with human or animal food, that are RSB or ISCC+ certified for their sustainability, as well as not derived from l ‘Palm oil. .
The Air France-KLM group has been investing for more than 15 years in the experimentation and use of sustainable aviation fuels.
In 2011, KLM carried out the world’s first commercial flight partially powered by SAF, while Air France launched the “Lab-Line for the Future” in 2014, a two-year experiment during which 78 flights between Paris- Orly and Toulouse and between Paris-Orly and Nice were partially supplied with sustainable aviation fuel.
Air France-KLM is also supporting the development of a production chain in France and the Netherlands. In 2020, Air France collaborated with Airbus, Safran, Suez and Total to foster the growth of the SAF production chain in France.
The following year, Air France operated its first long-haul flight powered by SAF produced entirely in France, while KLM operated the world’s first commercial flight with synthetic fuel produced in the Netherlands.
Last June, several flights powered by SAF were operated by all of the Group’s airlines as part of the “Connecting Europe Days” organized by the European Commission.
All in all, this is a major commitment that will undoubtedly set the standards for sustainable travel, especially with the industry looking to become net zero by 2050.
As deliveries begin, this will undoubtedly increase the portfolio of Neste and DG Fuels, as they will want to get more business of this type.