Wizz Air, recently recognized as the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline group by the CAPA Centre for Aviation, is taking a significant step toward decarbonizing air travel with a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) trial in collaboration with Airbus. This initiative positions Wizz Air as a front-runner in meeting the European Union’s forthcoming RefuelEU aviation regulations, which are set to take effect in 2025.
The trial marks Wizz Air’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions across its operations in alignment with the EU’s Destination 2050 climate goals. The trial will take place on two prominent routes—Barcelona to Budapest and Brussels Charleroi to Budapest—using SAF supplied by Cepsa and distributed by World Fuel Services.
“This collaboration with Airbus shows our commitment to reducing emissions and leading the industry in SAF integration. We aim to have 10% of our flights powered by SAF by 2030.” — Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer, Wizz Air
Proactive Approach to SAF Integration
The EU’s Fit for 55 package, which includes the RefuelEU aviation regulation, mandates that aviation fuel suppliers ensure a minimum share of SAF at select EU airports. It also requires airlines operating within the EU to refuel with 90% of fuel needs from those airports. Wizz Air is proactively incorporating SAF into its operations, ahead of these regulations, by blending up to 5% SAF on flights departing from Barcelona-El Prat Airport and up to 10% from Brussels Charleroi Airport.
Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air’s Corporate and ESG Officer, emphasized the importance of this trial: “This collaboration with Airbus demonstrates the aviation industry’s collective commitment to reducing emissions. We are taking steps not only to align with EU policies but also to lead by example, with a goal to have 10% of our flights powered by SAF by 2030.”
Gathering Passenger Insights
In addition to operational testing, the trial will involve a passenger survey designed to assess travelers’ understanding and perception of SAF and the broader decarbonization efforts within the aviation sector. Wizz Air’s passengers, who subscribe to the airline’s newsletter, will be invited to participate in this survey, with the results set to be publicly shared to better understand evolving customer expectations.
Airbus’ Support for SAF
Airbus will play a pivotal role in supporting Wizz Air during this trial, offering technical expertise to maximize the efficiency of SAF integration. “At Airbus, we are committed to advancing SAF adoption as a cornerstone of our decarbonization strategy,” said Julie Kitcher, Airbus’ Chief Sustainability Officer. “Our partnership with Wizz Air in this trial underscores our joint efforts to ensure that SAF is seamlessly integrated across airline operations.”
Collaborative Efforts in the Supply Chain
This trial is also a testament to the broader collaboration across the SAF value chain. SAF will be supplied by Cepsa in Spain and distributed by World Fuel Services. Duncan Storey, Senior Vice President at World Fuel, commented: “Aligning with the upcoming RefuelEU aviation requirements is a critical step for expanding the availability of SAF in Europe. We are proud to support Wizz Air’s sustainability goals.”
Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation at Cepsa, added, “Our partnership with Wizz Air is crucial for moving towards the aviation sector’s decarbonization targets. SAF offers an immediate solution to reducing flight emissions, and we are pleased to provide the fuel needed for this initiative.”
Looking Ahead: 10% SAF by 2030
As Wizz Air celebrates its 20th anniversary, the airline continues to set ambitious sustainability goals. The company aims to have 10% of its flights powered by SAF by 2030, with this trial serving as a key milestone in its journey. With growing regulatory pressures and rising consumer expectations, Wizz Air is demonstrating industry leadership by preparing ahead of the mandates, ensuring compliance with the EU’s Fit for 55 package and its climate objectives.
