Swedish airport becomes 1st in world to only offer 30% to 40% SAF blends for all aircraft

Västflyg will be the first airline at Trollhättan-Vänersborg Airport powering all its flights with SAF. (Photo: Västflyg)

Trollhättan-Vänersborg Airport in southwest Sweden will be the first airport in the world to offer only blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for all aircraft refueling at the airport, which will significantly reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions of departing flights.

Neste will supply its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ to the Trollhättan airport in a blend between 30 percent and 40 percent with conventional jet fuel and the airport will make it available for refueling by the end of June.

Västflyg, a Swedish commercial airline, will be the first airline powering all its flights with this fuel blend consisting of SAF.

This includes regular routes between Trollhättan and Bromma as well as Trollhättan and Visby in Sweden and all its charter flights from Trollhättan.

“With our investment into SAF, we wish to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry,” said Anna Råhnängen, airport manager at Trollhättan-Vänersborg Airport. “Together with Västflyg and Neste, we want to inspire and pave the way for a more sustainable future for the aviation industry.”

Anna Petre, CEO of Västflyg, added, “The aviation industry is a necessary part of a well-functioning society but according to all calculations, air travel is expected to double in the next 15 years. This means that also aviation-related emissions will increase. By using a high blend of SAF, we will immediately reduce our GHG emissions for all flights.”

Alexander Kueper, a Neste executive, said, “SAF is widely recognized as a key lever to reach aviation’s emission reduction goals. Trollhättan-Vänersborg Airport and Västflyg have taken a big and important step to use blended SAF to refuel aircraft for all departures. It shows their commitment to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of air travel and sets an example for other airports and airlines across the world to follow.”

Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable aviation fuel providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel.

With unblended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel, GHG emissions can be reduced by up to 80 percent over the fuel’s lifecycle compared to using conventional jet fuel.

Current jet fuel certifications allow SAF to be used blended up to a maximum of 50 percent with conventional jet fuel.

Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably sourced, 100 percent renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste.