Air France-KLM statement - support for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
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"The Air France-KLM Group welcomes the French President's announcement concerning support for the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production industry in France.
Air France-KLM is already a partner of Elyse Energy, which, along with other players, is behind the BioTJet project to build a SAF production site in Lacq (in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department), for which the President has announced his support today.
Today's announcement is a key step in the vital long-term process of decarbonizing the air transport sector.
In the medium term, sustainable aviation fuel is set to become the main lever for decarbonizing air transport, in addition to fleet renewal and operational measures such as eco-piloting.
The development of a French SAF production industry is an essential prerequisite for the widespread use of these fuels, whose production currently remains very limited, representing approximately 0.1% of global aviation fuel consumption. It is also an opportunity for France in terms of job creation and the country's energy sovereignty.
As a pioneer in the use of sustainable aviation fuel, with its first SAF-powered flights dating back to 2009, the Air France-KLM Group already incorporates up to 1% of sustainable aviation fuel in the paraffin used on its flights on departure from France and the Netherlands. In 2022, the Group purchased 17% of the world's overall SAF production, whereas its activity accounted for only 3% of total global fuel consumption. The Group has also set an ambitious SAF incorporation target of at least 10% by 2030 on all flights, going above and beyond the European mandate of 6% (and only on flights departing from Europe) by the same deadline. Air France-KLM has already secured 3 of these 10% by signing contracts with Neste and DG Fuels. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed with TotalEnergies, and the Group is currently working with other players such as Engie to develop SAF production in France."