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Already the world's largest SAF user, the Air France-KLM Group continues to secure the volumes needed to meet its 2030 SAF incorporation targets.
SAF is at the heart of the Group's decarbonization strategy
The more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is already a reality. In the coming years, its use is set to increase considerably, becoming the main lever for decarbonizing the air transport sector.
Throughout the year, the Group continued to work on securing future volumes of SAF, with a view to achieving its target of incorporating at least 10% SAF by 2030.
The Group signed supply contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with SAF producers around the world, and invested directly in production units.
On September 23rd 2024, the Air France-KLM Group announced the signature of a SAF offtake agreement with TotalEnergies, which will supply the Group's airlines up to 1.5 million tons of more sustainable aviation fuel over a 10-year period.
This agreement marks one the largest SAF purchase contracts signed by Air France-KLM to date.
Compared with conventional fuel, Air France-KLM's SAF reduces CO₂ emissions by at least 75% over the entire fuel life cycle.
Why secure supply and develop the SAF production capabilities?
By 2030, global demand for SAF is expected to be between 20 and 30 million tons. Production, on the other hand, is estimated at between 10 and 15 million tons by the same date, revealing a significant gap between supply and demand.
TONS OF SAF
In 2023, Air France-KLM Group airlines incorporated 87,000 tons of SAF - almost double the volume incorporated in 2022 - making the Group the world's leading SAF user for the second year running.
By 2030, 1 million tons of SAF will be required annually to cover needs and meet the Air France-KLM Group's incorporation targets.
To achieve this, the Air France-KLM Group has been signing strategic agreements with SAF producers around the world for several years, with a view to securing the volumes needed to meet the targets set for 2030.
These agreements concern projects and the development of production sites at different stages of maturity. They contribute to the development of the SAF production chain, giving suppliers the visibility and guaranteed prospects they need to secure financing for future production.
By teaming up with suppliers working on different SAF technologies (e.g. HEFA, advanced biofuels and e-fuels), Air France-KLM aims to build a global SAF production network, capable of meeting its own needs and those of the industry over the long term.
The Air France-KLM Group is particularly attentive to the development of SAF production capacity in its domestic markets (France and the Netherlands), which is essential to meet one of the main challenges associated with SAF: availability.
- The Air France-KLM Group makes its first SAF-powered flight.
- With the “Lab Line for the Future”, during a 2-year trial, Air France operates 78 flights powered by 10% SAF supplied by TotalEnergies, between Paris-Orly and Toulouse, and between Paris-Orly and Nice.
- KLM joins forces with SAF producer SkyNRG, to support the installation of a first SAF production plant in Delfzijl (Netherlands).
- The Air France-KLM Group is the world's leading user of SAF, accounting for 17% of global sustainable fuel production, while consuming only 3% of global conventional kerosene production.
- The Air France-KLM Group invests $4.7 USD million in SAF producer DG Fuels.
- KLM successfully completes tests confirming that aircraft engines can operate safely on 100% SAF. The tests were carried out in partnership with engine manufacturer CFM International and fuel producer Neste.
- The Air France-KLM Group organizes its first “SAF Masterclass”, bringing together experts and professionals in sustainable aviation fuels at an event aimed at the media and investors.
- The Air France-KLM Group is the world's leading SAF user for the second year running.
- The Air France-KLM Group increases its purchase agreement for more sustainable aviation fuel with TotalEnergies, which will supply up to 1.5 million tons of SAF over 10 years.
- In all likelihood, the Air France-KLM Group will once again be the world's leading SAF user, for the third year running.
Raising public awareness of the opportunities and challenges of SAF: discover our customer programs dedicated to SAF.
Companies can join the Corporate SAF program. Based on the CO₂ emissions generated by their employees travel, companies can determine an annual contribution, which is then invested in the purchase and use of SAF.
Since 2022, all members of Flying Blue, the Air France-KLM frequent flyer program, have been able to purchase SAF using their Miles. These contributions are also taken into account when obtaining or maintaining Flying Blue Elite status, which is a first for a frequent flyer program in the airline sector.
Individual customers can opt for the “environmental option” when booking their flight, allowing them to purchase SAF volumes based on their expected fuel consumption.
In 2024, Air France has proposed to double its customers' voluntary contributions to the purchase of SAF during the Paris 2024 Olympic period.
The KLM Cityhopper initiative flew to Valencia for The Aviation Challenge, where customers who had purchased SAF were given priority boarding, just after SkyPriority passengers.