Iberia Maintenance will use 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) throughout the year in its engine test bench at the La Muñoza facilities, near Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. This initiative represents a significant step toward the sector’s decarbonization. The use of SAF is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes annually. Iberia Maintenance is now the first Spanish aeronautical maintenance provider to consistently use this type of fuel in its engine test bench for commercial airlines.
As per press release, the SAF, a second-generation biofuel derived from organic waste and used cooking oils, is produced by Cepsa at its La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva. This year, Cepsa will supply Iberia Maintenance with over 36 tonnes of SAF.
Teresa Parejo, Director of Sustainability at Iberia, stated, “We are very proud to have taken another step toward the decarbonization of the sector with the use of SAF in our test bench, which will help us reduce our CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes. Collaboration, technology, and innovation are crucial for achieving the industry’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050.”
Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation at Cepsa, added, “We continue to advance together with Iberia to enhance the sustainability of their operations and promote sustainable aviation. We strive to remain a leader in the production and distribution of SAF, which will be essential for meeting the aviation sector’s decarbonization goals in the coming years.”
The use of SAF in Iberia Maintenance’s engine tests is part of the International Airlines Group’s (IAG) environmental sustainability strategy, which targets net zero emissions by 2050. In addition, Iberia, Iberia Express, and Cepsa have signed a collaboration agreement to develop and research sustainable fuels and other energy alternatives, such as fleet electrification, to support the sustainable mobility of aircraft and airport service vehicles.
To read more about Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry News, continue reading BioEnergyTimes.com
