Airbus and Paris-based TotalEnergies are to collaborate on research and innovation to develop 100% sustainable aviation fuels for use in current and future generation aircraft as well as address the composition of SAF on the reduction of CO2 emissions and non-CO2 effects, including contrails. TotalEnergies also will supply more than half of the SAF required by Airbus in Europe, extending a partnership which started in 2016 when the energy company began supplying SAF to help power Airbus aircraft deliveries. During the recent Singapore Airshow, Airbus signed an MoU with the Singapore Economic Development Board to facilitate formation of a Sustainable Aviation Hub to focus on technology, research and innovation to progress cleaner aviation, including focus on SAF supply chains and hydrogen-based technologies. Also at the air show Airbus flew an A350-1000 demonstrator jet, the fuel for which included 35% blended SAF.
Milestones in the Airbus and TotalEnergies partnership include provision in May 2021 of French-produced SAF for a Paris-Montreal flight by an Airbus A350, followed in November that year of the first flight of a H225 helicopter, powered by 100% SAF, and the first A321 neo flight with 100% SAF in March last year.
“Accelerating the deployment of sustainable aviation fuels is essential if we are to meet our targets for reducing carbon emissions from aviation by 2030,” explained Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. “This partnership between Airbus and TotalEnergies demonstrates the willingness of aerospace manufacturers and major energy producers and suppliers to work together to meet this challenge.”
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said SAF development “is at the heart of our company’s transition strategy. Our company has set itself a target of 1.5 million tonnes of annual SAF production by 2030. We are happy to form a strategic alliance with Airbus to play our part in meeting the challenge of aviation decarbonisation together.”
Airbus has also signed an MoU with the Singapore Economic Development Board to facilitate formation of a Sustainable Aviation Hub to unite aerospace professionals, researchers and innovators in progressing “a robust and environmentally sustainable aviation ecosystem”, extending a partnership between the organisations which started almost two decades ago.
The key focus areas include research and analysis of SAF supply chain and hydrogen-based technologies, projects aimed at modernising and streamlining air traffic management, including the emerging generation of autonomous aircraft, and using new technologies and best practices to advance maintenance, services and operations in the aerospace industry.
A priority for the Hub is to work in close collaboration with local enterprises, universities and research institutions to facilitate knowledge exchange, talent development and joint research initiatives, said Airbus.
“Singapore is home to Airbus’ Asia-Pacific headquarters, given its strategic location, pro-innovation policies, highly skilled workforce and strong research capabilities,” said the airframer’s Chief Technology Officer, Sabine Klauke. “It is therefore an ideal choice to spearhead such an initiative here.”
Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board, added: “Singapore is partnering with leading aerospace companies to drive technology, research and innovation, and talent development to support the sustainable growth of the aviation industry. The Airbus Sustainable Aviation Hub represents another milestone in Singapore’s longstanding partnership with Airbus.”
Photo (H. Goussé, Airbus): A319neo refuelled with TotalEnergies SAF
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