TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM Group have forged a significant partnership, with TotalEnergies set to supply up to 1.5 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to the airline group over a 10-year period, extending until 2035. This agreement marks one of the largest SAF purchase contracts signed by Air France-KLM to date, according to an official release.
In recent years, Air France-KLM has taken a leading role in the adoption of SAF, representing 17% of total global production in 2022 and 16% in 2023. This new contract builds upon a previous memorandum of understanding (MoU) from 2022, which involved the supply of 800,000 tonnes of SAF. The re-evaluation of this agreement underscores the commitment of both companies to mitigate the environmental impact of air travel by actively reducing CO2 emissions.
Air France-KLM has set ambitious goals to decrease its CO2 emissions per passenger per kilometer by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. This will be achieved through a combination of fleet modernisation, eco-piloting operational measures, and an increased use of SAF—aiming for at least 10% SAF incorporation on all flights.
Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, stated, “Securing the volumes of more sustainable aviation fuel needed to decarbonise our activity is a major challenge. This agreement with TotalEnergies is a further step in this direction and reflects our commitment to advancing SAF production in France and Europe. A robust SAF sector is vital for Europe’s sovereignty and energy independence.”
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, highlighted the dual benefits of SAF, stating, “SAF contributes to the energy transition of our customers in the aviation sector and the industrial transition of our refineries. It represents a real ‘win-win’ for the future of both industry and aviation. Over the past decade, we have been pioneers in this field, investing in biorefineries and SAF production facilities in France and developing co-processing technologies in our refineries. We plan to maintain this momentum in Europe and worldwide.”
The SAF supplied to Air France-KLM will be derived from waste and residues through a circular economy approach, produced at TotalEnergies’ biorefineries and refineries across France and Europe. The fuel will be utilised for flights operated by Air France-KLM airlines departing from France, the Netherlands, and other European locations. This strategic collaboration not only aims to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint but also positions both companies as leaders in the shift towards a more sustainable air transport sector.
