Air France Airbus A220-300. Photo: Shutterstock Air France receives its 46th Airbus A220-300 in Paris.
The event took place on an exceptional delivery flight: the aircraft was fueled with a blend containing 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), approved by Airbus.
This marks a significant milestone in Air France-KLM Group's effort to promote the use of alternative fuels in the aviation industry.
Sustainable aviation fuel is considered a key tool in reducing carbon emissions in the industry, with the ability to cut up to 65% of carbon dioxide emissions over its lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel.
Air France-KLM is one of the world's top three groups in SAF usage, adhering to a strict procurement policy with fuels that do not compete with human food, do not involve deforestation, and are not derived from palm oil.
Additionally, partnerships with manufacturers are part of the group's strategy: an agreement with Airbus allows the company's employees to reduce their carbon footprint from business travel by funding SAF production.
Since Airbus joined the group's "SAF Corporate" program in November 2023, over 670 tons of SAF have been purchased, reducing more than 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Concurrently, the group continues with its fleet renewal program—a cornerstone of its growth strategy. The A220 aircraft reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by 20% per seat compared to the previous generation.
The group currently has orders for nearly 200 new aircraft, including models A220, A320neo, A321neo, A350, and Boeing 787.
In 2024 alone, the group received 41 new aircraft, as part of annual investments exceeding 2 billion euros. By 2030, up to 80% of the group's fleet is expected to consist of new-generation aircraft.