Wizz Air has announced plans to trial operations using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in partnership with Airbus. This initiative positions the airline to comply with the EU’s upcoming RefuelEU aviation regulations, set to take effect in 2025.
As part of the EU’s Fit for 55 package, the RefuelEU regulation mandates that aviation fuel suppliers ensure a minimum share of SAF in all fuel available at select EU airports, with increasing blends over time. Airlines operating in the EU will also be required to source 90% of their fuel needs from these airports.
Through this project, Wizz Air aims to integrate SAF into its operations while capitalizing on the fuel efficiency of the Airbus A321neo aircraft. The airline is testing regulatory compliance ahead of schedule and assessing passenger awareness of SAF and related policies.
The trial will cover two major routes: Barcelona to Budapest (BCN-BUD) and Brussels Charleroi to Budapest (CRL-BUD). SAF will be supplied by Cepsa and distributed by World Fuel Services at each departure airport, with completion expected by year-end. The project will use the mass balancing method.
Wizz Air plans to purchase up to 16 metric tons of pure SAF for an up to 5% blend at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, and up to 18 metric tons for an up to 10% blend at Brussels Charleroi Airport.
Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air’s corporate and ESG officer, stated, “This collaboration with Airbus demonstrates the aviation community’s commitment to reducing emissions intensity. It is essential for all stakeholders in the aviation ecosystem to contribute to achieving the industry goal of net zero by 2050. SAF is a critical enabler, which is why Wizz Air supports this pioneering EU policy and has made substantial investments in SAF.”
Moynihan added, “As a proud EU airline celebrating 20 years of transformative travel, we are dedicated to minimizing our carbon footprint and setting an example in the industry, with a target of 10% of our flights powered by SAF by 2030. This project allows us to test SAF operations while also gathering insights from our passengers regarding their awareness of aviation decarbonization.”
The trial will include a survey for Wizz Air passengers, inviting them to share their thoughts on SAF and sustainability initiatives in aviation. The survey will be distributed to subscribers of Wizz Air’s newsletter and will also be available via a provided link. The findings will be publicly shared, highlighting changing passenger expectations and aiding Wizz Air and the broader industry in enhancing sustainability efforts.
Julie Kitcher, Airbus’ chief sustainability officer, remarked, “At Airbus, we are dedicated to promoting the adoption of SAF as a vital part of our decarbonization strategy. Fuel-efficient aircraft and SAF will be key to achieving the emissions reductions needed by 2050. Collaborating with partners like Wizz Air to effectively integrate SAF into airline operations is a crucial step forward. We also look forward to the insights from Wizz Air’s upcoming passenger survey, as understanding customer perspectives on decarbonization can support the aviation industry’s SAF adoption. We are pleased to partner with Wizz Air for this trial.”
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