Biofuels for Airbus
The operator of Saint Nazaire Montoir, VINCI Airports, teamed up with TotalEnergies to provide SAFs at the airport. Prior to blending, this biofuel is produced in France by TotalEnergies using waste and residues from the circular economy, such as used cooking oil. In its pure state, it can be used to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90% throughout the entire life cycle compared to its fossil fuel equivalent. It is then blended at up to 30% with standard aviation fuel. As the main client of Saint-Nazaire Montoir airport, Airbus aims to fully decarbonise its activities in Loire Atlantique by 2040. The aircraft manufacturer will therefore use SAFs to refuel the BelugaXL, a giant cargo plane that transports fuselage elements between its Saint Nazaire production facility and assembly line locations in Toulouse and Hamburg on a daily basis. This fuel will also be used by the Airbus shuttle operated by Air Corsica, which transports the company’s employees and subcontractors between Saint Nazaire and Toulouse every day.
Background
Under European regulations, airlines’ fuel blends must incorporate 2% biofuels in 2025, 6% in 2030 and 34% in 2040. By offering biofuels at its airports, VINCI Airports is guiding the aviation industry on its decarbonisation pathway.
Up to27 % less direct CO2 emissions overall than biofuels (post-blend)