One of Air France-KLM’s biggest deals in sustainable aviation fuel so far has been sealed by the company with energy giant TotalEnergies, in a historic agreement that underlines the ambition of the aviation industry to reduce carbon emissions. The agreement will cover up to 1.5 million tons of SAF over the next 10 years, placing both companies at the forefront of the decarbonization drive for air travel. This deal represents a milestone step toward Air France-KLM’s sustainability commitment and yet another step in Europe’s journey towards energy independence.
A Milestone in Decarbonizing Air Travel
The long-term partnership between Air France-KLM and TotalEnergies confirms their shared ambition to reduce the environmental impact of the aviation industry. Under the deal, TotalEnergies will supply SAF to the airline group, so that Air France-KLM can speed up the expansion of its sustainable fuel use. “This important development marks a crucial stage in our efforts to seize our ambitious carbon reduction objectives,” declared Benjamin Smith, chief executive officer of Air France-KLM.
“This deal is another step toward de-carbonizing our activities and supports a robust SAF sector for the energy independence of Europe,” Smith said.
This is set against the background of Air France-KLM already having secured confirmed agreements on SAF. The airline had in 2022 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TotalEnergies, which marked its commitment to increased usage of cleaner fuels. Now, however, with the award of this new contract, Air France-KLM is well-placed to take delivery of important volumes of SAF and to be central to its CO2 reductions.
On its way to become the world’s largest consumer of SAF in 2022 and 2023, the airline group has ambitious goals for 2030 that would make it reduce its CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 30% from the 2019 point. The company will undertake initiatives such as fleet renewal, more efficient flight operations (eco-piloting), and deploying at least 10% SAF on all flights.
Expanding Role for TotalEnergies in SAF Production
TotalEnergies is one of the world’s largest energy players that over the past two decades has increasingly been scaling up its focus on SAF production as part of a broader strategy to complement the energy transition. It will convert some of its refineries in France and more widely in Europe to start producing sustainable aviation fuels as demand grows for these products.
The core of TotalEnergies’ SAF production is through its Grandpuits biorefinery platform, which it is turning into a world leader in biofuels and bioplastics. In 2025, TotalEnergies will have installed a capacity of 210,000 tons of SAF per year from Grandpuits-an important addition to the Europe SAF supply chain. In turn, TotalEnergies continues to invest in Normandy and La Mède, two big refineries supporting higher production output long term.
The development announced has been hailed by Patrick Pouyanné, group chief executive officer of TotalEnergies, which welcomes the bigger purpose that SAF can serve for the aviation industry and for Europe’s energy sector. “SAF is a real ‘win-win’ for the future of industry and aviation,” Pouyanné said. “It reduces the amount of carbon emissions attributable to air travel, thereby making that portion of the sector more sustainable, and strengthens Europe’s energy independence – with local production of sustainable fuels.”
The ability to deliver large quantities of SAF to Air France-KLM over the next decade is a landmark for TotalEnergies in terms of its growing contribution to the global SAF supply chain. Investments in production guarantee the availability of cleaner fuels that will be needed by the aviation industry to meet international carbon reduction targets.
Meeting Europe’s Carbon and Energy Goals
The deal between Air France-KLM and TotalEnergies belongs to a larger trend within the aviation sector to capitalize on SAF as a flagship policy in the fight against climate change. Even though SAF can be derived from renewable sources, such as waste oil from cooking, plant-based oils, and agricultural residues, greenhouse gas emissions are cut by between 80% and 90% compared to traditional jet fuel over the lifecycle.
Europe has set tight standards for the aviation sector to reduce its carbon footprint, part of the overall efforts to adhere to the principles of the Paris Agreement. Those standards, however, must await their realization in the downstream market, which in turn requires significant volumes of SAF.
Leadership in SAF Adoption Air France-KLM stands well as one of the global leaders in the efforts toward these international climate targets. The airline group has embraced the incorporation of SAF going forward in its operations following a recent requirement by the EU under the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative that encourages a step change in the production and usage of SAF in the region.
Thus, the partnership with TotalEnergies furthers Europe’s energy independence by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and promoting local production of sustainable fuels. TotalEnergies’ investment in the production capacity of SAF in France and Europe will drive the region toward building much more resilient energy supply chains that support both environmental and economic goals.
A Sustainable Future for Aviation
Air France-KLM’s effort to boost the use of SAF is part of a bigger plan to achieve the reduction in the environmental impact of flying. The airlines group has already committed to substituting its old fleet with new aircraft that will burn less fuel, cut the flight paths used by aircraft, and minimize the weights of any passengers and cargo carried onboard to boost fuel efficiency.
SAF, however, seems one of the strongest weapons that airlines may have in the process of decarbonizing their activities. First, not only does it improve how airlines lessen CO2 emissions but also meets increasing consumer as well as regulatory demands for greener traveling options.
Now, with the air travel industry continuing on an upward trajectory from devastating blows inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, sustainability has become an even more priceless direction for air carriers. Here’s why: focus on rebuilding both on economic recovery and sustainability.
Conclusion
The agreement between Air France-KLM and TotalEnergies is a giant step toward the de-carbonization of air travel and the fulfillment of international climate targets. Saf from Air France-KLM will have secured up to 1.5 million tons by 2030. Air France-KLM is thus furthering its ambition to lower CO2 emissions and contribute towards a more sustainable future in aviation. TotalEnergies, for its part, will become one of the majors in the fuel supply chain for aviation, supporting the ambitious energy policy of Europe and contributing to the broad transition towards cleaner fuels. These two flight giants are changing the complexion of air travel-future. Sustainability and economic growth, hand in hand.