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Airbus report points to growing focus on SAF in business aviation

Airbus, at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, Nevada, released a new report surrounding the potential of sustainable aviation fuel in the business aviation sector.

The study, commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), states 89 per cent of senior executives at large U.S. corporations who use private jets believe the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in business aviation will increase over the next five years, with 56 per cent anticipating a significant rise.

Airbus explains sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a biofuel that can help reduce CO2 emissions by on average 80 per cent over an aircraft’s lifecycle compared to traditional jet fuel. Amid the study, 90 per cent of those senior executives surveyed believe this will lead to an increase in U.S. companies using private jets. Half, 49.5 per cent, expect it to lead to a dramatic increase.

Similarly, as SAF becomes more affordable and easier for business aircraft to use, 87 per cent of senior executives at large U.S. corporations interviewed expect it to lead to an overall increase in the sale of business aircraft.

Airbus notes it is increasing the use of SAF in its own operations, with a target of 15 per cent SAF in its global fuel mix by the end of 2024 and at least 30 per cent by 2030.

“SAF is truly a game changer for aviation, and our research shows it could support future growth in the business aviation sector,” says Chadi Saade, President, ACJ. “Airbus is committed to leading the decarbonization of the aviation sector. That includes accelerating alternate fuels such as SAF through funding and working closely with a range of industry partners.

“All Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters will be capable of operating with 100% SAF by 2030,” added Saade.

Airbus explains the recently launched ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft is carving out a whole new market segment as ‘The Xtra Large Bizjet.’ The ACJ TwoTwenty offers twice the cabin real estate compared to similarly priced ULR business jets. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but Airbus states the ACJ TwoTwenty operating costs are one-third less.

Airbus explains, with a range of up to 5,650 nm (more than 12 flight hours), the ACJ TwoTwenty can meet the requirements of 99.9 per cent of all U.S. departures, connecting city pairs including Los Angeles to London, Miami to Buenos Aires, and New York to Istanbul.

As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is capable of flying with up to a 50 per cent blend of kerosene and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) while keeping to the technical specifications of Jet A.

More than 200 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide.