Wizz Air to launch SAF trial with Airbus ahead of ReFuelEU mandate
October 21, 2024
Ahead of the EU’s forthcoming ReFuelEU regulations set to take effect in 2025, Wizz Air is to trial operations involving sustainable aviation fuel in collaboration with Airbus; employing and analysing blended SAF on two of its key European routes.
The SAF, supplied by Cespa and distributed by World Fuel Services, will be delivered to Brussels Charleroi and Barcelona (to be used on routes to Budapest) at a blend of up to 10% and 5% respectively. With a European supply chain including “multiple key locations such as the UK, Germany and France,”
The trial operations will also ensure compliance with the upcoming RefuelEU legislation, requiring aviation fuel suppliers to blend a minimum volume of SAF (with quantities to incrementally increase) at select EU airports. Airlines operating within the EU will be required to uptake 90% of their fuel needs from these airports.
“Throughout this project, we are not only testing SAF operations but also gathering insights from our passengers on their awareness of levers to decarbonise aviation,” added WizzAir corporate and ESG officer Yvonne Moynihan. An upcoming passenger survey will invite passengers to “share their feedback on the understanding and perception of SAF and sustainability initiatives in aviation,” with the results (highlighting “broader passenger expectations”) to be shared publicly.
In April 2024, Wizz Air set a new goal of powering 10% of its flights with SAF by 2030; helping achieve a reduction in carbon emissions per passenger km of 25%.
