Air France-KLM Enhances SAF Deal with TotalEnergies to Deliver 1.5 Million Tons in 10 Years

TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM have entered a significant agreement whereby TotalEnergies will supply up to 1.5 million tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to the Air France-KLM Group over the next decade, lasting until 2035. This contract represents one of the largest SAF purchase agreements made by Air France-KLM to date. Notably, Air France-KLM was the world leader in SAF usage in 2022 and 2023, accounting for 17% and 16% of global SAF production, respectively. This new agreement builds upon a previous memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 for the supply of 800,000 tons of SAF.

The renewed collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of air travel by reducing CO2 emissions. Air France-KLM has set a target to decrease its CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 30% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. The airline plans to achieve this through various strategies, including fleet modernization, eco-piloting operational measures, and incorporating a minimum of 10% SAF on all flights. These ambitious sustainability goals exceed current regulatory requirements.

The SAF provided to Air France-KLM will be derived from waste and residues within the circular economy, produced at TotalEnergies' biorefineries and refineries in France and Europe through coprocessing methods. This fuel will support flights departing from France, the Netherlands, and other European nations. TotalEnergies' strategy for SAF production is central to meeting the aviation sector's demand for sustainable fuel.

Air France-KLM follows a strict sourcing policy, ensuring that it only purchases second-generation SAF that does not compete with food production and is certified for sustainability by RSB or ISCC+. SAF has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 75% to 90% over its life cycle compared to traditional fossil fuels. Patrick Pouyanné, TotalEnergies’ Chairman and CEO, emphasized that SAF supports both the energy transition in aviation and the industrial transition of refineries, representing a "win-win" for future industries.

Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM Group, remarked that securing sufficient SAF volumes is crucial for decarbonizing their operations. This agreement reflects their long-term commitment to promoting SAF production in France and Europe, which is vital for the region's energy independence.

TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM have collaborated on SAF initiatives since 2014, including experimental flights fueled with 10% SAF. Recently, TotalEnergies has ramped up investments in SAF production across its facilities in France and Europe, including significant projects in Grandpuits, Normandy, and La Mède. By 2025, TotalEnergies aims to produce substantial quantities of SAF from these sites, further enhancing the sustainable aviation fuel sector in Europe.