Wizz Air Takes the Lead in Sustainable Aviation with SAF Pilot Program
Wizz Air, lauded as the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline group by the CAPA Centre for Aviation, is taking a significant step towards a greener future. The airline has announced a pilot program for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Airbus, marking a pivotal moment in its commitment to reducing carbon emissions. This initiative positions Wizz Air as a leader in embracing the EU’s upcoming RefuelEU aviation regulations, set to be enforced in 2025.
The collaboration underscores Wizz Air’s dedication to aligning with the EU’s Destination 2050 goals, aiming for a carbon-neutral continent by 2050. The RefuelEU aviation regulation, part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, mandates that fuel suppliers at designated EU airports must offer a minimum percentage of SAF, with this share gradually increasing over time. Airlines will be obligated to refuel 90% of their fuel needs from these designated airports.
A Trial on Key Routes: Barcelona to Budapest and Brussels to Budapest
Wizz Air’s SAF pilot program will involve flights on two key routes: Barcelona to Budapest (BCN-BUD) and Brussels Charleroi to Budapest (CRL-BUD). The SAF for these flights will be supplied by Cepsa and distributed by World Fuel Services (a World Kinect Company) at each departure airport. The trial, expected to conclude by the end of the year, will utilize the mass balance approach. Wizz Air plans to purchase up to 16 metric tons of pure SAF with a blend of up to 5% SAF at Barcelona-El Prat Airport and up to 18 metric tons of pure SAF with a 10% blend at Brussels Charleroi Airport.
Industry Leaders Join Forces for Sustainable Aviation
Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air’s Corporate and ESG Officer, expressed the airline’s commitment: “This cross-industry collaboration with Airbus is a demonstration of the commitment of the aviation community to reduce emissions intensity. It’s crucial for all actors in the aviation ecosystem to play their part and join forces to reach the industry goal of net zero by 2050. SAF is a key enabler, and that is why Wizz Air supports this pioneering EU policy and has made significant strategic investments into SAF as a result.”
Wizz Air is not only testing SAF operations in this pilot program, but also actively gathering insights from its passengers on their awareness of SAF and related policies. “Our valued passengers are key stakeholders in the value chain, and their feedback will play a crucial role in shaping our future sustainability initiatives,” added Moynihan.
Passenger Survey: A Key Insight into Aviation Sustainability
The pilot program will include a passenger survey, inviting Wizz Air travelers to provide feedback on their awareness and perceptions of SAF and aviation sustainability initiatives. The results will be made publicly available, offering valuable insights into changing passenger expectations and helping Wizz Air, along with the broader aviation industry, to refine and strengthen their sustainability efforts.
Airbus: A Key Partner in Decarbonization
Julie Kitcher, Airbus’ Chief Sustainability Officer and Communications, emphasized the importance of SAF in Airbus’s decarbonization strategy: “At Airbus, we are committed to driving the adoption of SAF as an essential element of our decarbonisation strategy. Fuel-efficient aircraft and SAF will provide the majority of the emissions reductions our industry needs to make by 2050, which is why working together – with partners like Wizz Air – to efficiently integrate SAF across airline operations is such an important step to be taking today. We also look forward to the insights from Wizz Air’s upcoming passenger survey. Understanding how flying customers feel about decarbonisation can support the aviation industry’s SAF adoption.”
Airbus will collaborate with Wizz Air in this trial, offering technical expertise and support to optimize the use of SAF within the airline’s operations.
Local Fuel Suppliers: A Crucial Role in SAF Supply
Local fuel suppliers working with Wizz Air are crucial to the success of this initiative. They recognize the importance of partnerships like this, as they create industry visibility and build confidence in producers, encouraging the growth of SAF supply to meet the increasing demand from airlines.
Duncan Storey, Senior Vice President, supply and commercial development EMEA, World Fuel stated: “Aligning with the upcoming RefuelEU aviation requirements is an important milestone in our efforts to expand the availability of sustainable fuels. We are supporting Wizz Air’s goals by delivering a consistent supply of SAF to their key European routes, selling 18 metric tons of neat SAF in a 10% blend. Since 2015, we have been actively working to increase the availability of lower-carbon aviation fuels across the globe.”
Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation at Cepsa added: “Cepsa is pleased to participate with Wizz Air in this important initiative to move towards effective emissions reduction ahead of the REFuelEU mandate. As a leading energy supplier to the aviation sector in Spain, we are committed to working with our customers to decarbonize their business and SAF is an immediate solution to help decarbonize flights without the need for changes to aircraft engines.”
By taking early steps to integrate SAF and prepare for upcoming regulatory changes, Wizz Air is positioning itself to offer more environmentally friendly air travel options to millions of passengers across Europe. This initiative marks a significant step towards a greener future for the aviation industry, paving the way for a more sustainable and responsible approach to air travel.