Air France-KLM Group’s corporate sustainable aviation fuel programme join hands with Tata communications.
Air France-KLM Group announced that Tata Communications, a global digital ecosystem enabler has joined its Corporate SAF program to promote and develop the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Tata Communications is the first global corporation from India to join this program which actively supports the transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and will therefore contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions generated by aviation.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels are the most decisive ways of reducing CO2 emissions in the aviation industry. However, the production is currently very limited and SAF represented approximately 0.1% of the global jet fuel use in 2022.
The corporate SAF program allows Air France-KLM to partner with organizations to accelerate the production and usage of SAF, and thus pave the way towards making SAF more readily available with the aim to contribute to a more sustainable future in aviation. SAF projects selected by Air France-KLM reduce CO2 emissions by at least 75% compared to conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis.
Claude Sarre, General Manager Indian Sub-Continent, Air France-KLM said:
Decarbonizing aviation comes with several challenges, compelling the industry to collaborate with various stakeholders and seek innovative solutions to minimize the environmental impact.
“As a responsible player, sustainability is embedded at the core of the Air France- KLM Group’s strategy, with a strong emphasis on the development and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). We are proud to welcome Tata Communications to the Air France–KLM Corporate SAF Program.”
“This agreement is significant towards raising awareness and addressing sustainability challenges the aviation industry faces. Tata Communications has a strong commitment towards environmental preservation. We are happy to take the first step of this journey in India with them, to make flying more sustainable.”
Kim Bybjerg, Vice President and Head of Continental Europe, Tata Communications, said:
With our commitment to be Net Zero by 2035, we are making a strategic shift in our business travels for a sustainable planet.
“One of our initiatives is to adopt sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce our carbon emissions. I am pleased to announce our relationship with Air France-KLM and other leading airlines through SAF usage on select routes. I believe our adoption of SAF will encourage employees and more organisations to take up sustainable travel.”
Air France-KLM’s Initiatives Towards CO2 Emissions
Air France-KLM’s objective is to reduce its total CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 30% compared with 2019. To achieve this SBTi-validated target, the Group aims to incorporate a minimum of 10% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) by 2030, beyond the European mandate of 6% for flight departures in Europe by the same deadline.
Sustainable aviation fuels are one of the most promising levers for reducing CO2 emissions from aviation. They are currently made from used cooking oils, waste or agricultural and forestry residues. In the future, sustainable synthetic aviation fuels will also be available, made from hydrogen and carbon captured from the atmosphere.
Air France-KLM has implemented a strict sourcing policy and is committed to purchasing only SAFs that do not compete with food or feed, are RSB or ISCC certified for their sustainability, and are not produced from palm oil. SAF projects selected by Air France-KLM reduce CO2 emissions by a minimum of 75% compared with conventional jet fuel on a lifecycle basis and require no engine modifications.
The Air France-KLM Group also announced a substantial order of 50 Airbus A350 aircraft, accompanied by options for an additional 40 units. The order encompasses both the Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 variants, the distribution of which has not been finalized.
Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2026 and continue through 2030. Air France-KLM will also be among the launch customers of the Airbus A350 Full Freighter version of the aircraft, having ordered 8 aircraft to renew and expand its cargo fleet.
Air France already operates 22 A350-900s, with 19 still to be delivered. Taking all existing orders into account, Air France-KLM is poised to emerge as the world’s leading operator of the Airbus A350 family, potentially boasting a fleet of up to 99 of these highly efficient aircraft. These newly ordered Airbus A350s will replace older generation aircraft, such as the 26 Airbus A330s and 33 Boeing 777s, operated by both Air France and KLM.
With these combined orders, covering up to 99 aircraft, Air France-KLM would become the world’s largest A350 family aircraft operator. The Airbus A350 symbolizes the transition to a more sustainable air transport industry. The aircraft consumes 25% less fuel than an equivalent-sized, previous-generation aircraft, thanks to the use of lighter materials: 53% composites and 14% titanium. Its noise footprint is also reduced by 40%.
Fleet renewal is the Group’s primary lever to immediately cut CO2 and noise emissions. Alongside the use of sustainable aviation fuel and eco-piloting techniques, it is one of the pillars of the Group’s decarbonization trajectory, which aims for -30% CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 2030 compared to 2019.
Since the 2000s, Air France-KLM has reduced its noise footprint by 40% and the Group continues to work with all its stakeholders to adapt its operations. By 2028, the share of new-generation aircraft in the Air France-KLM fleet will reach 64%, compared to 5% in 2019.
Air France-KLM Group’s Corporate SAF Programme Join Hands With Tata Communications, September 27, 2023
