Airbus is taking a major step forward in advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption by implementing an innovative “Book and Claim” model. This initiative is designed to bridge supply and demand gaps, providing a scalable and adaptable pathway to increase SAF usage across the aviation industry.
Julien Manhes, Head of SAF and Carbon Dioxide Removals at Airbus emphasized the importance of the new system by saying: “Supporting the SAF Book and Claim mechanism is an immediate solution contributing to the emergence and scale-up of the global SAF market. For a lot of smaller operators, getting access to SAF can be challenging depending on the amount of SAF needed.
Through this initiative, Airbus can simplify and derisk the process for operators and SAF suppliers, by financially securing SAF certificates upfront and sharing them when customers need them. This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate Book and Claim is reliable and that its usage should be extended in voluntary and regulatory markets.”
Industry Leaders Join Forces for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Growth
To kickstart the initiative, Airbus has secured a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading aviation companies, including SMBC Aviation Capital, AerCap, Comlux, Luxaviation, Novespace, Rive Private Investment, and SAF Aerogroup. These organizations have expressed strong interest in supporting the program, reinforcing a collective industry effort to accelerate SAF integration.
SMBC Aviation Capital, a leading global aircraft leasing company, has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through various initiatives. In January 2024, the company announced a partnership with Trinity College Dublin to establish the Trinity College Dublin SAF Research Facility at SMBC Aviation Capital’s new headquarters in Dublin.
In addition to research collaborations, SMBC Aviation Capital launched a sector-leading sustainability solution for airlines in September 2022. The company invested $53.3 million in high-quality carbon credit programs aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This initiative provides airline customers with access to carbon credits as part of lease agreements or independently, supporting their net-zero ambitions by 2050. The carbon credits are derived from energy-efficient cookstove projects in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, contributing to both environmental and social benefits.
How the Airbus “Book and Claim” Model Works
Under this system, buyers can purchase SAF credits, securing the environmental benefits of using the fuel without needing to physically transport it to their location. Instead, the SAF is consumed elsewhere, while buyers receive certification of their contribution to emission reductions. This allows for a more flexible and efficient distribution of SAF, ensuring broader market access.
To implement the system, Airbus will procure SAF certificates and oversee their management through the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), a globally recognized sustainability certification entity. These certificates will then be resold to interested aviation customers, including aircraft and helicopter operators, stimulating demand and ensuring verified sustainability benefits.
The pilot program, set to run through 2025, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the “Book and Claim” framework. Airbus will assess the market response, the reliability of this approach, and the potential role of third-party facilitation in expanding SAF availability. This initiative is expected to generate valuable insights that will help shape future SAF integration strategies across the aviation industry.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Gets a Boost, But Uncertainty Remains
The U.S. sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry gained momentum as the Department of Energy approved $782 million in funding for Montana Renewables, significantly expanding production capacity. This, alongside Gevo’s Net-Zero 1 project, marks a $3 billion investment push to scale SAF production and cut aviation emissions. However, uncertainty surrounding key tax credits and policy shifts threatens the sector’s long-term viability.
While the U.S. faces regulatory and economic hurdles, Europe leads with ambitious mandates, reinforcing SAF demand through policy-backed incentives. Meanwhile, ICAO’s new financing initiative aims to attract investors, but Washington’s shifting stance raises concerns. With SAF positioned as aviation’s best decarbonization tool, stable policies and long-term investments are crucial for scaling production.
Read more: Can Sustainable Aviation Fuel Fulfill Its Potential?
