From the Singapore Airshow today, Airbus announced the signing of a strategic partnership with TotalEnergies to address the decarbonization of the aviation industry through the production and use sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
On Wednesday (February 21, 2024), from the Singapore Airshow, Airbus announced that they have signed a strategic partnership agreement with TotalEnergies designed to address the challenges of decarbonizing the aviation industry through the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels. With the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, the partnership aims to reduce the sector’s CO2, in which SAF will play a key role. On a lifecycle basis, SAF supplied by TotalEnergies can reduce up to 90 percent CO2 emissions when compared to traditional fossil fuel. Under the partnership, TotalEnergies will supply over half of Airbus’ SAF needs in Europe. Additionally, the collaboration will include a research and development program, with the goal of developing 100 percent SAF, tailored to the design of current and future aircraft. The study will also include the impact of SAF on reducing CO2 emissions, as well as other effects such as contrails.
In Wednesday’s announcement, TotalEnergies Chairman and CEO, Patrick Pouyanné, said,
“The development of sustainable aviation fuels is at the heart of our Company’s transition strategy. We are happy to form a strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonisation together. TotalEnergies has been working hard to respond to the sector’s new demand for a reduced carbon footprint. Our Company has set itself a target of 1.5 million tons of annual SAF production by 2030.”
Also commenting on the SAF partnership, Airbus’ CEO, Guillaume Faury, added,
“Accelerating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions from aviation by 2030. This partnership between Airbus and TotalEnergies demonstrates the willingness of aerospace manufacturers and major energy producers and suppliers to work together to meet this challenge. We are determined to meet our decarbonisation targets and ensure that aviation can continue to play its valuable role for society in the future.”
TotalEnergies has supplied Airbus with SAF for aircraft deliveries in Toulouse since 2016, and has also supplied the fuel for several first SAF flights with Airbus aircraft. In May 2021, the very first long-haul flight using French produced SAF with an A350 took place, with a flight between Paris and Montréal. Then, in November 2021, the first flight of a H225 helicopter from the ‘Super Puma’ Family took flight using 100 percent SAF. Finally, in March 2023, the first Airbus A321neo flight took place using 100 percent SAF.
TotalEnergies produces and markets oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. The company employs over 100,000 team members who are committed to energy that is more affordable, sustainable, reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. TotalEnergies is active in nearly 130 countries worldwide, and is committed to all facets of sustainable development with the goal of contributing to the well-being of people.
Source: Airbus