Iberia Maintenance, a subsidiary of the International Airlines Group (IAG), has taken a significant stride towards a more sustainable aviation industry by implementing the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its engine test bench at the La Muñoza facilities near Madrid-Barajas Airport. This move solidifies Iberia Maintenance’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and underscores its leadership in promoting environmentally responsible practices within the aviation sector.
The initiative sees Iberia Maintenance become the first aeronautical maintenance provider in Spain to consistently incorporate SAF into its engine testing for commercial airlines. This commitment to sustainability is part of IAG’s broader goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. By using 5% SAF throughout the year, Iberia Maintenance anticipates reducing its annual carbon dioxide emissions by a notable 115 tonnes.
The SAF used in this initiative is produced by Cepsa, a leading energy company, at its La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva. This second-generation biofuel is derived from organic waste and used cooking oils, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste going to landfills. Throughout the year, Cepsa will supply Iberia Maintenance with over 36 tonnes of SAF, further supporting the reduction of the aviation industry’s carbon footprint.
“We are very proud to have taken another step towards the decarbonisation of the sector with the use of SAF in our test bench, which will allow us to reduce our CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes,” explains Teresa Parejo, Director of Sustainability at Iberia. “Collaboration, technology, and innovation are the essential elements to achieve the industry’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.”
Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation at Cepsa, shares, “We continue to take steps together with Iberia to facilitate the sustainability of their operations and promote sustainable aviation. We work to keep being a reference in the production and distribution of SAF, which will be essential in the coming years to achieve the decarbonisation objectives of the aviation sector.”
Iberia Maintenance’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the use of SAF. The company is actively involved in a broader collaboration with Iberia, Iberia Express, and Cepsa, focusing on the development of sustainable fuels and other energy alternatives, including fleet electrification, to enhance the sustainability of aircraft operations and ground services at airports.
Cepsa plays a critical role in supporting Iberia Maintenance’s sustainability goals through its production of SAF and other second-generation biofuels. Cepsa, in partnership with Bio-Oils, is currently constructing the largest second-generation biofuels plant in southern Europe. This €1.2 billion facility, scheduled to open in 2026 in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), will have a flexible production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of SAF and renewable diesel.
As part of its Positive Motion strategy, Cepsa aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes of SAF by 2030, enough to power 2,000 flights around the world. Cepsa’s commitment positions it as a leader in SAF production in Spain and Portugal.
SAF is gaining recognition as a crucial alternative to fossil fuels in the aviation sector, offering the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% over its entire lifecycle compared to conventional kerosene. This makes SAF a critical factor in achieving the industry’s net zero emission targets.
Iberia Maintenance’s engine test bench, equipped with a 90,000lb capacity test cell, is certified to test four engine types: CFM56-5B/-7B, RB211, V2500, and Pratt & Whitney GTFTM. In 2023 alone, the facility conducted over 170 engine inductions, ensuring engines meet rigorous safety and performance standards before being reinstalled on aircraft.
The integration of SAF into Iberia Maintenance’s operations aligns perfectly with the company’s sustainability strategy, further reinforcing its leadership in promoting environmentally responsible practices within the aviation industry.
