Airbus has launched a groundbreaking initiative to bolster the global adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by piloting a “Book and Claim” system. This innovative approach seeks to bridge the gap between SAF production and consumption, offering a flexible and scalable solution to overcome logistical and economic barriers hindering widespread SAF usage.

Airbus, acting as a facilitator, will purchase SAF certificates and manage the sustainability attributes through the registry of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), a globally recognized certification body. These certificates will then be resold to interested customers, including aircraft and helicopter operators, fostering a robust demand for SAF in the short term.

The “Book and Claim” system allows aviation stakeholders to purchase SAF certificates, effectively claiming the associated emission reduction benefits, even if the physical SAF is utilized at a different location. This decoupling of physical fuel flow from emissions reduction claims is crucial for enabling smaller operators and those located far from SAF supply points to participate in decarbonization efforts.

The company has already garnered significant industry support, with SMBC Aviation Capital signing the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Subsequently, AerCap, Comlux, Luxaviation, Novespace, Rive Private Investment, and SAF Aerogroup have also expressed their commitment to joining this collaborative initiative, signaling a strong industry-wide desire to accelerate SAF adoption.

The pilot program, scheduled throughout 2025, aims to provide vital insights into the functionality and scalability of the “Book and Claim” mechanism. It will assess the market's appetite for third-party facilitated SAF solutions and evaluate the robustness of the system in managing sustainability attributes.

Julien Manhes, Airbus head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Carbon Dioxide Removals, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Supporting the SAF Book and Claim mechanism is an immediate solution contributing to the emergence and scale-up of the global SAF market. For a lot of smaller operators, getting access to SAF can be challenging depending on the amount of SAF needed. Through this initiative, Airbus can simplify and derisk the process for operators and SAF suppliers, by financially securing SAF certificates upfront and sharing them when customers need them. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate Book and Claim is reliable and that its usage should be extended in voluntary and regulatory markets.”

The challenges associated with SAF adoption are multifaceted, including limited production capacity, high costs, and logistical complexities related to distribution. By decoupling the physical flow of SAF from its environmental benefits, the "Book and Claim" system addresses these challenges, enabling broader participation in SAF usage.