Air New Zealand opens invitation to innovators in the SAF sector

Air New Zealand has launched a global open invitation to innovators and start-ups in the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) sector to become a supply partner to the airline.

It is the first time an airline has made a global call to potential suppliers in the burgeoning SAF industry to work together on supply opportunities. There is  no SAF available in New Zealand currently however it could be made viable with policies and investment settings. SAF commands a price premium compared to traditional jet fuel.

Based on Air New Zealand’s network, fleet, sustainability targets and criteria, the airline’s Opportunity Statement provides an overview of its SAF requirements. The airline hopes that it will spur discussion and identify new opportunities for ongoing collaboration.

Air New Zealand’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kiri Hannifin, says SAF is integral to the aviation industry’s future, which faces a steep challenge to decarbonize.

“Air New Zealand plays an essential role in connecting New Zealand’s people, tourism, and trade to the world, but we must find a way to do this more sustainably and as quickly as we can. A stable supply of SAF is critical to our ability to reduce carbon emissions and continue to play this role for the long term.That’s why we’ve taken this novel approach, asking emerging SAF producers from around the world to connect with us and respond to the Opportunity Statement,” says Ms Hannifin.

“Air New Zealand is an ideal airline partner SAF innovators and producers. We have a mature understanding of SAF, a clear roadmap to meet our targets, and the volumes of SAF we need to align with current production capabilities.”

“Our airline is known for pushing boundaries and challenging ourselves to think differently, and we’re also deeply committed to meeting our decarbonisation goals. This Opportunity Statement shares our vision and allows current and future SAF producers to recognise both the opportunity and Air New Zealand’s ambition to become a customer as soon as possible.”

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated Air New Zealand’s interim science-based target, which requires a 28.9% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 from a baseline of 2019. Air New Zealand was the second airline globally to announce an interim science-based target.

As part of its long-term and strategic regulatory package, Air New Zealand is actively advocating for SAF to comprise around 20% of its total fuel consumption by 2030.

After partnering with pioneers of next-generation aircraft technology through its Mission Next Gen Aircraft Programme, co-funding the research and development of a domestic SAF industry, and investing in United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund, Air New Zealand is taking another step toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In order to mitigate risk, Air New Zealand is looking to enter short-, medium-, and long-term SAF offtake agreements, recognizing that these are often critical to the business case for a plant and, giving investors, financiers, and SAF producers demand certainty.

Pics Source: Air New Zealand