Norwegian Launches First State Supported Domestic Route in Europe Using 40 Percent SAF

Norwegian has today announced the launch of the first state-supported domestic route in Europe with the permanent use of 40 percent SAF.  Under the scheme, the route between Aalborg and Copenhagen will be operated throughout 2026 and 2027 with SAF.

Norwegian's Route Between Aalborg and Copenhagen will Operate Exclusively with 40 Percent SAF for 2026 and 2027 - Courtesy Norwegian Air Shuttle

On Wednesday (March 4, 2026), Norwegian Air Shuttle announced the launch of a new domestic route between Aalborg and Copenhagen, which will be flown with 40 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on all flights in 2026 and 2027. This is the first permanent route of its kind in Europe and marks a significant step in the decarbonization of aviation.  The SAF will consist exclusively of European raw materials and will be produced and supplied by Nordic companies.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Norwegian’s CEO, Geir Karlsen, said,

“While many are discussing the path towards lower-emission aviation, Denmark is leading the way and showing how this can be done in practice.  This is not just a new route.  It is a new model for how we accelerate the transformation of aviation, because it creates demand for SAF. That way we get volume, and volume is what drives investments and production.

“The Danish state has chosen to use market forces actively.  By securing demand for SAF, we are building a market and moving towards the goal of better and more sustainable aviation.  We are proud to have won the tender with the lowest price per ton of CO₂ saved and thus be able to deliver a documentable effect.

“This is an important step on the path towards better and more sustainable aviation, but the scaling of SAF requires long-term and stable political frameworks as well as concrete investments in the next generation of fuels, including e-SAF.”

Also commenting on the new SAF route launch, Aalborg Airport’s CEO, Niels Hemmingsen, added,

“We are very proud that Aalborg will be the starting point for Europe’s first permanent domestic route with 40 percent SAF.  The transformation of aviation begins with concrete actions.  No one can do it alone, but together we can take the next important steps towards a more sustainable future for Danish and European aviation.  It is through strong partnerships that we drive the industry forward.”

With a 40 percent blend of SAF in the fuel, the emissions from the route will be reduced by over 3,000 tons of CO₂ annually, measured over the entire life cycle of the fuel.  This special SAF route was created through a government tender under the Danish government’s ‘Green Aviation’ agreement, where the Danish state actively supports the use of more sustainable aviation fuel.  The purpose of the route is to help accelerate SAF production, making it more accessible through demand and the development of dedicated supply chains.

Source: Norwegian Air Shuttle