Ryanair, the leading airline in Europe, has announced on 28 March that its acquisition of 1,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Shell, a global energy group. This volume is sufficient to fuel over 200 flights from Stansted to Madrid and will be supplied to Ryanair at its Stansted Airport hub. This purchase is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established between the two companies in 2022, granting Ryanair exclusive access to procure up to 360,000 tonnes of SAF from Shell between 2025 and 2030, potentially resulting in savings of up to 900,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

The announcement, made during an event showcasing Ryanair's decarbonization initiatives, underscores the airline's ongoing commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Ryanair has already made significant strides in its decarbonization efforts through collaborations with Trinity College Dublin in the establishment of the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre and substantial investments in cutting-edge aircraft technology. Notably, Ryanair has invested $22 billion in its 'Gamechanger' fleet, which reduces CO2 emissions by 16%, and allocated an additional $40 billion for the acquisition of 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft, reducing CO2 emissions by 20% and noise by 50%, while accommodating 21% more passengers.

Thomas Fowler, Ryanair's Director of Sustainability and Finance, emphasized the airline's commitment to sustainability during an address at Stansted Airport, highlighting the adoption of SAF, modern engine technologies, and electric ground handling equipment as significant steps towards achieving the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 2031. Fowler acknowledged the pivotal role of partners such as Shell and MAG in enabling Ryanair's sustainability objectives, citing the purchase of 1,000 tonnes of SAF from Shell as evidence of their collaborative efforts. He expressed Ryanair's dedication to working with partners across its network to maximize environmental efficiency on every flight.

Ashleigh McDougall, Shell's GM Aviation Europe and South Africa, expressed Shell's delight in supplying sustainable aviation fuel to Ryanair at Stansted Airport, facilitating emissions reduction on flights from a significant UK transport hub. McDougall highlighted the conversion of intentions into tangible actions, reflecting Shell's commitment to supporting customers on their decarbonization journeys.

Ryanair Holdings PLC, an Irish-based ultra-low-cost carrier group with its headquarters located in Swords, Dublin, Ireland, comprises several subsidiaries including Ryanair DAC, Malta Air, Buzz, Lauda Europe, and Ryanair UK. Established in 1984, Ryanair DAC stands as the oldest airline within the group.