easyJet & Airbus testen ein SAF-Modell für Geschäftsreisende, um die nachhaltige Luftfahrtkraftstoff-Produktion zu fördern.
easyJet und Airbus testen ein SAF-Modell für Geschäftsreisende, um die nachhaltige Luftfahrtkraftstoff-Produktion zu fördern.
easyJet and Airbus trial new corporate SAF partnership to stimulate growth of SAF industry
- easyJet and Airbus are trialling a new business travel solution that aims to stimulate global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production
- The proof of concept trial will explore and demonstrate how airlines and corporate organisations can share the cost of SAF in a mutually beneficial way, creating additional demand and supply for SAF.
- The resulting reduction in emissions from SAF usage will be counted towards scope 3 reporting for corporate partners, along with easyJet’s scope 1 reporting.
- SAF will be delivered to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport and be equivalent to operating easyJet’s BRS-TLS/TLS-BRS service on 30% SAF for three months
- easyJet intends to roll out to other markets and regions in the future.
easyJet and Airbus are trialling a new model to help business travellers address their carbon footprint and stimulate global SAF production.
SAF is expected to be a critical lever in decarbonising the aviation sector, offering an estimated 80% reduction in carbon lifecycle emissions on average compared to conventional jet fuel.
However, with the current production rate of SAF standing at just 3% of the total fuel required for the industry and costing 3-5 times more than conventional jet fuel, there are significant barriers the industry needs to overcome before it can make a significant impact.
This trial will explore corporate partnerships as a way to help finance SAF, stimulate supply for future mandate requirements and drive down the ‘green premium’ to make it more affordable.
Using corporate travel investment to scale up SAF production
Through the model, easyJet’s corporate travel partners – starting with Airbus initially – will purchase a specific amount of SAF to address the carbon footprint from their corporate air travel, and simultaneously help to stimulate growth of the SAF industry.
Expected to commence in November, the trial will also be used to validate the use of SAF certificates, enabling corporate partners to claim the resulting emission reductions.
To support the trial, 106 tonnes of neat SAF has been purchased, equivalent to the amount of fuel needed to operate easyJet’s flights between Toulouse and Bristol with 30% SAF blend, over a three month period. The route has been chosen as it is commonly used by Airbus employees.
The SAF purchased will be produced from biomass feedstock, such as used cooking oil, and converted into jet fuel.
How the model works between easyJet and Airbus, and other corporate partners in the future:
- 1. easyJet pools demand/ buys SAF – easyJet works with the corporate partner to determine a specific quantity of SAF to cover travel requirements. easyJet purchases the SAF from a fuel supplier.
- 2. SAF is delivered to the airport – SAF is delivered to the designated easyJet operated airport by the fuel supplier (WFS for this trial).
- 3. Corporate partners receive SAF certificate(s) – easyJet’s corporate partners are issued non-tradeable SAF certificates, verified by a third party (e.g. Verifavia). The corporate partner is then able to register the SAF certificate(s) as part of their scope 3 reporting.
easyJet intends to welcome other corporate travel partners to join the scheme and aims to scale the offer to other markets and regions. Both Airbus and easyJet expect this to act as a catalyst to drive up demand for SAF supplies around the world.
The project represents yet another historic collaboration between easyJet and Airbus, each sharing the ambition to trial new innovations to help lower the environmental impact of aviation.
Thomas Haagensen, Group Markets Director at easyJet, said:
“Business travellers make up around 14 percent of our customer base, relying on airlines to travel efficiently. Our corporate partners are always looking to reduce the impact of their flying and this model will help both with their carbon emissions reporting while stimulating growth of the SAF industry which will be critical to achieving the industry’s net zero ambitions.”
Julien Manhes, Airbus Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Carbon Dioxide Removal, said:
“Today, SAF is available in small quantities, so we need to upscale the supply and close the price gap with traditional fuel. One of the ways to do that is to create a clear demand signal for the market. In 2023, 600 million litres of SAF was produced around the world and every single drop of that was consumed. This trial is about building a resilient SAF economy because we have the technology, we have the aircraft, we just need more SAF.”
Notes to editors:
Airbus is the exclusive partner in this trial phase and easyJet is in advanced discussions with other corporate travel partners about joining the scheme.
Currently all Airbus aircraft are capable of flying with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The manufacturer is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.
About easyJet
easyJet is Europe’s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports with great value fares and friendly service.
easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 82 million passengers in 2023 with more than 11.3 million travelling for business. The airline has over 300 aircraft flying on nearly 1000 routes to more than 155 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.
easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in eight countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised nearly £17m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.
In 2022, easyJet published its roadmap to net zero by 2050. The roadmap, which also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology, has set an ambitious interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035 which is validated by the Science-based targets initiative (SBTi). The airline’s ultimate aim is to fully transition its fleet to zero carbon emission technology, which it will achieve through a number of strategic partnerships including with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN Aerospace Solutions. Since 2000, the airline has successfully reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third.
Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching nearly 30 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital and operational innovations to make travel more easy and affordable for its passengers.
In 2023 easyJet was named by TIME as one of the World’s Best Companies and a Leader in Diversity 2024 by The Financial Times.
About Airbus
Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. Its innovative products and services connect people and places, protect citizens and vital assets, and are helping to lead the journey towards decarbonising aerospace.
In commercial aircraft, Airbus designs and manufactures modern and fuel-efficient aeroplanes and associated services. Airbus is a European leader in space systems, defence and security. In helicopters, Airbus provides civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.
Airbus has built on its strong European heritage to become truly international – with around 145,000 employees in roughly 180 locations and relying on more than 18,000 direct suppliers globally. The Company has aircraft and helicopter final assembly lines in Europe, Asia and the Americas.