Marisa Garcia SAS has announced that it is the only Scandinavian airline to take part in Norwegian Airport management company, Avinor’s, new biofuel program at Oslo airport. Oslo is the world’s first international airport to supply biofuel to airlines on a regular basis.
SAS, joined by KLM and Lufthansa, have signed a purchasing agreement with biofuel supplier Air BP which will contribute to sufficient demand to encourage the production and delivery of this fuel, making bio jet fuel commercially viable.
At present, Biofuel is produced in small quantities and is more expensive than fossil jet fuel, especially after recent dramatic drops in the price of oil. As demand increases, biofuel prices are also expected to fall.
“When we invest in the latest aviation technology, it helps to reduce emissions that have an impact on the climate, but if we are to achieve a more rapid and large-scale reduction in the impact of aircraft on the climate, then the delivery of biofuel is the most important step to take,” says Eivind Roald, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at SAS. “That is why we are taking responsibility and making these investments, and so actively contributing to achieving sustainable aviation.”
SAS has been renewing its aircraft fleet with a view to improve its environmental impact. It was the first airline in Scandinavian to add ‘next generation’ aircraft to its fleet from 2013, and will take delivery of fuel-efficient aircraft to serve both its short-haul and long-haul routes: Airbus A330 enhanced (from 2015), Airbus A320neo (from 2016) and later the Airbus A350XWB (from 2018).
The airline has also carried out extensive work to improve its climate efficiencies both in the air and on the ground.
As a result of these programs, SAS reports that it has reduced its total CO2 emissions by around 15% since 2005.
“SAS has already set out its ambitions and drawn up its plans, having worked on biofuel projects for 15 years,” Eivind Roald says. “Through investment in biofuel at OSL, we are taking another important step towards more climate-friendly aviation in Scandinavia.
The aviation industry has set ambitious environmental targets, and it is hoped that environmentally-friendly projects to improve aviation’s CO2 footprint will continue despite lower oil prices.
Featured Image: Rendering of SAS New A350XWB, to be delivered in 2018.
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