Göteborg Landvetter Airport in Sweden has welcomed its first commercial air route to be fuelled by 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Operated by Swedavia, which aims to have 5% of all fuel used for refuelling at its hubs be fossil-free by 2025, the airport will see Braathens Regional Arilines (BRA) fly twice weekly between Göteborg Landvetter and Lyon-Saint Exupery in France using SAF.

“It’s an important step towards fossil-free aviation that Volvo Group is now taking together with BRA, and it is really gratifying that Göteborg Landvetter Airport has the privilege to welcome that here,” said Anna Strömwall, Airport Director at Swedavia Göteborg Landvetter.

“A blend of 50% SAF enables people to travel on business and at the same time reduce their carbon footprint. Through various programmes and collaborations, Swedavia continues to encourage airlines to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and switch to sustainable biofuels.”

The Swedish Government’s fossil-free Sweden initiative includes the goal of having domestic air transport be completely fossil-free by 2030.  Additionally, for international air transport, all aircraft that take off from Swedavia’s airports are to be fossil-free by 2045.

Noting that the 50% SAF is the highest possible blend for SAF allowed today in commercial aviation, Martin Erkenborn, CCO at BRA, said: “There is now discussion in the EU of a mandatory SAF quota in aviation. The mandate is expected to be between 38% and 54% by 2045. On this route, we will achieve a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of at least 40% from day one.

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