Reduced Scope 1 emissions for Airbus through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Airbus Embraces Sustainable Aviation Fuels in Decarbonization Strategy
Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer, is taking significant strides in reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint by actively implementing Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) in its operations.
The company is now carrying out production flights with SAF, as part of the serial production aircraft test procedures. This move extends beyond customer deliveries, with SAF being used for operations and logistics, including Airbus component assembly lines, Final Assembly Lines, and Customer Delivery Centres.
Airbus Transport International (ATI) has been using SAF for its Beluga fleet since 2019, transporting large components and delivering satellites, military cargo, and humanitarian aid. The SAF blend, which has upwards of 80% GHG emissions reduction, is technically certified to international specifications and standards, allowing it to substitute conventional "JET A1" without modifications to an aircraft's structure or systems.
In a bid to expand the use of SAF, Airbus is expanding its use to two more facilities in Toulouse, France, and Tianjin, China. Local authorities and suppliers in these locations have collaborated with Airbus to enable and grow the availability and use of sustainable jet fuel for internal operations. By the end of this decade, all Airbus manufacturing sites calling on the logistic services of ATI could be supplied with SAF.
Airbus' employee shuttles are already using a 34 percent 'drop-in' SAF blend, provided by Volotea, for flights between Airbus Hamburg-Finkenwerder Airport and Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The use of 100% SAF has been tested on the A350 and A320 for in-flight emissions testing.
Airbus is committed to supporting and acting as a catalyst for the development and use of SAF. The company views SAF as an essential but costly "green premium" pathway, and pairs it with operational improvements and advanced technologies to meet aviation’s net zero goals.
In addition to these efforts, Airbus is researching ways to track actual SAF uptake in its fleet and supply chain emissions, aiming to refine measurement and reporting of their Scope 3 indirect emissions related to fuel use. Airbus UpNext, its technology incubator, is conducting flight testing in 2025, including initiatives that leverage AI to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by at least 5% per trip, indicating integration of SAF and other tech in operational improvements.
Airbus also supports industry-wide challenges around SAF supply, cost, and infrastructure, and advocates for creating frameworks to scale up SAF adoption effectively. The company includes SAF considerations in its sustainability reports and aligns with sector-wide guidelines for emissions accounting, though as of 2024, SAF impact is still being fine-tuned in their disclosures.
Regulators have approved that conventional "JET A1" can be fully replaced or combined with "drop-in" SAF inside any commercial aircraft fuel tanks. SAF is produced in a bio-refinery and blended up to the maximum certified blending limit before being certified to ASTM D1655 and regarded as conventional Jet A1 kerosene.
Airbus aims to reduce Scope 1 & Scope 2 industrial emissions by up to 63% by 2030 compared to 2015, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of its products and services. The company is pursuing sustainable aerospace with the goal of reducing the environmental footprint of its products and services.
- In the realm of environmental science, Airbus, a leading manufacturer in the industry, is actively implementing Renewable Energy (Sustainable Aviation Fuels) in its operations to decrease the carbon footprint across the aviation sector.
- The company's efforts include production flights with SAF, not just for customer deliveries, but also for operations, logistics, and even component assembly lines.
- Airbus Transport International (ATI) has been using SAF for its Beluga fleet since 2019, transporting large components and delivering various goods, including satellites, military cargo, and humanitarian aid.
- In an attempt to expand the use of SAF, Airbus plans to utilize it in two more facilities in Toulouse, France, and Tianjin, China, collaborating with local authorities and suppliers to grow the availability and use of sustainable jet fuel.
- Airbus is also focusing on business strategies, using a 34 percent 'drop-in' SAF blend for employee shuttles and testing 100% SAF on the A350 and A320 for in-flight emissions testing.
- With a commitment to lead, Airbus is actively supporting and catalyzing the development and use of SAF, viewing it as a viable but costly "green premium" pathway to meet aviation’s net zero goals.
- In addition, Airbus is engaging in technological innovation through Airbus UpNext, its technology incubator, aiming to refine measurement and reporting of Scope 3 indirect emissions related to fuel use, and conducting flight testing in 2025, including initiatives that leverage AI to improve efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
