Total Energies, Airbus sign strategic partnership for sustainable aviation fuel

Airbus and Total Energies have signed a strategic partnership to address the challenges of decarbonizing aviation through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

In line with the objective of achieving net-carbon neutrality of aviation by 2050, this partnership aims to contribute to the reduction of the sector’s CO2 emissions, in which SAF play a key role.

SAF supplied by Total Energies can reduce up to 90 percent CO2 emissions over their lifecycle compared to their fossil-fuel equivalent. 

The partnership will cover two main areas:

• SAF supply by Total Energies for more than half of Airbus’ needs in Europe.

• A research-and-innovation program aimed at developing 100 percent sustainable fuels tailored to the design of current and future aircraft. The impact of the composition of SAF on the reduction of CO2 emissions and non-CO2 effects, such as contrails, will also be studied.

Airbus and Total Energies confirm their common ambition to promote SAF technology and to strengthen their collaboration to decarbonize the aviation industry.

Total Energies has been supplying the SAF used by Airbus for its aircraft deliveries in Toulouse, France, since 2016.

Total Energies also supplied the fuel for several first SAF flights with Airbus aircraft:

• In May 2021, the first long-haul flight using French-produced SAF with an A350 between Paris and Montreal.

• In November 2021, the first flight of a H225 helicopter, from the “Super Puma” family, using 100 percent SAF.

• In March 2023, the first A321neo flight with 100 percent SAF.

“The development of sustainable aviation fuels is at the heart of our company’s transition strategy,” said Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of Total Energies. “We are happy to form a strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonization together. Total Energies has been working hard to respond to the sector’s new demand for a reduced carbon footprint. Our company has set itself a target of 1.5 million tons of annual SAF production by 2030.”

Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, added, “Accelerating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions from aviation by 2030. This partnership between Airbus and Total Energies demonstrates the willingness of aerospace manufacturers and major energy producers and suppliers to work together to meet this challenge. We are determined to meet our decarbonization targets and ensure that aviation can continue to play its valuable role for society in the future.”