Airbus and fuel provider Neste have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly advance the production and uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Let's take a closer look at this new partnership below.

Exploring SAF development

The agreement will see both parties focusing on new SAF development opportunities to accelerate the industry's transition to sustainable operations. This wide-reaching partnership will involve exploring "fuel-efficient aircraft technologies, improved operations and ground infrastructures, as well as deployment of sustainable aviation fuel."

Julie Kitcher, EVP Communications and Corporate Affairs at Airbus, said,

"SAF is one of aerospace’s most promising decarbonization solutions that can be used in both in-service aircraft fleets and those of tomorrow. We are honored to be partnering with Neste to drive forward the development and uptake of SAF, to stimulate the creation of a commercially viable market for renewable aviation fuels."

This will be the second collaboration between Airbus and Neste following their ‘Emission and Climate Impact of Alternative Fuels’ (ECLIF3) initiative together with German research center DLR. Neste is currently leading the way in the global sustainable aviation fuel race and is developing a new facility in Finland that will up its production capacity from 100,000 metric tonnes to around 1.5 million tonnes of SAF per year.

Tackling production challenges

While sustainable aviation fuels are undoubtedly a cleaner form of energy, the major problem has always been in their development. High costs are a particular hurdle, although progress is being made on making SAF cost-effective against conventional jet fuel.

Neste SAF truck
Photo: Neste

Thorsten Lange, Executive Vice President, Renewable Aviation at Neste, said,

"The combined knowledge and expertise of the companies will help advance the use and availability of SAF as a means of transitioning aviation towards more sustainable energy sources and reducing the climate impact of aviation."

Both parties recognize that ramping up SAF production will be crucial in helping the aviation industry transition to cleaner operations, adding that the focus will be on the technical development of SAF and testing new production technologies.

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

100% SAF certification this decade?

Airbus aircraft are currently certified to fly up to a 50% SAF blend, but this could change sooner than you think. In fact, Neste is shooting for a 2025 certification date for 100% SAF flying, although production hurdles will likely prevent the technology from being adopted en masse so soon.

A Finnair aircraft at Helsinki SAF
Photo: Neste

Several SAF milestones have been reached in the last couple of years, including the first 100% SAF Airbus A380 flight in March (although only one engine had 100% SAF). As reported by Simple Flying, Neste was involved in the world's first 100% SAF regional flight this summer involving an ATR-72 in Sweden, with both engines running on SAF.

Julie Kitcher added,

"All Airbus aircraft are already certified for flying with up to 50% SAF and this partnership will be instrumental to reaching certification for up to 100% SAF before the end of the decade."

Airbus and Neste's ECLIF3 study from 2021 noted that "SAF has lower density but higher energy content per kilogram of fuel compared to conventional kerosene, which brings some aircraft fuel-efficiency advantages due to lower fuel burn and less fuel mass." The oft-quoted statistic on SAF is that, over its lifecycle, it produces up to 80% fewer emissions than conventional jet fuel.

Do you think commercial aircraft will be running on 100% sustainable aviation fuel within a few years? Let us know your insights in the comments.

  • rsz_airbus_50th_years_anniversary_formation_flight_-_air_to_air
    Airbus
    Stock Code:
    AIR
    Date Founded:
    1970-12-18
    CEO:
    Guillaume Faury
    Headquarters Location:
    Toulouse, France
    Key Product Lines:
    Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Airbus A350, Airbus A380
    Business Type:
    Planemaker