The key factors retarding the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blended fuels remain the twin challenges of price and availability.
A “chicken and egg” scenario whereby operators are reluctant to make the switch due to concerns over price and availability and fuel producers point to a lack of demand which prevents them from investing in greater production capabilities which would naturally not only allay availability concerns but also drive the price down to a point where SAF becomes a competitive alternative to traditional fuels.
At its end-of-year summit meeting, Airbus announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Neste aimed at breaking the cycle and advancing the production and uptake of SAF.
The companies say they acknowledge that accelerating SAF production is core to improving the industry’s environmental performance.
Julie Kitcher, Airbus’s EVP Communications and Corporate Affairs, said: “SAF is one of aerospace’s most promising decarbonisation solutions that can be used in both in-service aircraft fleets and those of tomorrow. We are honoured 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. 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.”
