Airbus and OMV Partner for Greener Aviation

Global aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Austria’s energy leader OMV have announced a groundbreaking partnership to advance the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The collaboration aims to accelerate decarbonization within the aviation sector by leveraging both companies’ expertise.

SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel. As the European Union pushes for increased SAF usage—targeting 70% by 2050 from just 2% in 2025—airlines and manufacturers are racing to meet ambitious sustainability goals.

However, challenges persist, including high production costs and concerns about market demand. SAFs cost significantly more than conventional fuel, creating hesitations among both producers and buyers regarding large-scale investments.

To tackle these issues, OMV has been producing SAF since 2022 at its Schwechat refinery in Austria, using sustainable raw materials like used cooking oil. The company has already committed to supplying 1.5 million tons of SAF by 2030.

Airbus and OMV plan to jointly expand SAF availability, explore innovative production methods, and advocate for supportive regulatory policies. Their partnership also includes raising awareness about SAF’s role in achieving net-zero aviation.

Martijn van Koten, OMV’s Executive Vice President for Fuels and Feedstock, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across the industry to drive sustainability, while Julie Kitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Airbus, reiterated the company’s commitment to a net-zero aviation future.

This partnership signifies a pivotal step towards greener skies, aiming to reshape the future of aviation through innovation and cooperation.

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