Teesside has become the UK’s first airport to partner with Air France-KLM for the airline’s programme to boost the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The airline, which connects passengers worldwide from Teesside to more than 160 countries via its hub in Amsterdam, is currently working on an ambitious road map towards decarbonisation. Its new programme allows the airline to partner with stakeholders such as Teesside Airport to accelerate the production, adoption and usage of SAF – which currently makes up less than 1% of fuel used on commercial flights – transitioning from traditional fuels and reducing the CO2 footprint of air travel.
The programme also supports Teesside’s own plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, as well as its aim to use SAF to achieve net zero flights by 2035.
Commenting on the airport’s collaboration with the French carrier, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “By joining forces with Air France-KLM, Teesside has further dedicated itself to driving the development and uptake of SAF for the good of the sector and the world.
Houchen also credited the airport’s hydrogen vehicle trials and its multimillion-pound research and development into SAF as contributing to the decarbonisation of the environment, boosting investment and creating well-paid jobs.
Meanwhile, Teeside Airport’s Managing Director, Phil Forster, said: “Partnering with the airlines that have long supported our airport to address the critical issues facing the industry is central to achieving these aims, that will benefit the world. We’re excited to be the UK’s first airport to sign up to this programme, setting out our stall as a leader in supporting emerging technologies in the sector.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us to decarbonise our airport from top to bottom, not just in its day-to-day operations, but also in its flights – however with initiatives like this I’ve no doubt we can succeed.”
Air France-KLM’s General Manager for UK & Ireland, Fahmi Mahjoub added his enthusiasm for the collaboration saying: “This is a major step forward in addressing our sustainability challenge as an aviation company by partnering with a UK airport to help the environment.”
