TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM have entered into an agreement under which TotalEnergies will supply up to 1.5 million tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Air France-KLM Group airlines over the next 10 years, extending until 2035. This deal represents one of the largest SAF purchase contracts ever secured by Air France-KLM. In 2022 and 2023, the airline group was the world’s largest SAF consumer, accounting for 17% and 16% of global production, respectively.
The contract follows a 2022 memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the supply of 800,000 tons of SAF. By expanding this commitment, both companies are reaffirming their shared goal of rapidly reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing the environmental footprint of air travel.
Air France-KLM has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 30% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. This ambitious goal will be achieved through a combination of fleet modernization, eco-friendly piloting practices, and the use of at least 10% SAF on all flights. These efforts exceed current regulatory requirements.
The SAF provided to Air France-KLM will be derived from waste and residues within the circular economy, produced in TotalEnergies’ refineries across France and Europe using co-processing methods. It will fuel flights departing from France, the Netherlands, and other European countries. TotalEnergies sees SAF development as a core element of its energy transition strategy, designed to meet growing demand from the aviation industry.
Air France-KLM is committed to strict sourcing standards, purchasing only second-generation SAF certified by RSB or ISCC+ to ensure it does not compete with food production.
SAF offers a reduction of at least 75%, and up to 90%, in CO2 emissions across its lifecycle compared to traditional fossil fuels.
“SAF contributes both to the energy transition of our customers in the aviation sector and to the industrial transition of our refineries. It therefore represents a real ‘win-win’ for the future of industry and aviation. For the past 10 years, we have been pioneers in the field, investing in biorefineries and SAF production facilities in France as well as developing coprocessing technologies in our refineries. Building on these industrial successes, we intend to continue this momentum in Europe and worldwide,” said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies.
“Securing the volumes of more sustainable aviation fuel needed to decarbonize our activity is a major challenge. This agreement with TotalEnergies is a further step in this direction, and a testament to our long-standing support for the development of SAF production in France and Europe. A solid SAF sector capable of meeting our industry’s needs is a key factor in Europe’ sovereignty and energy independence,” said Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Air France-KLM Group.
TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM have been collaborating for 10 years to develop and test SAF. Their partnership began in 2014 with the “Lab’line for the Future” project, during which 78 Air France flights were powered by 10% SAF provided by TotalEnergies.
In 2020, the two companies, along with Safran and Suez, participated in a French government initiative to establish a domestic SAF production industry. Since 2022, TotalEnergies has been supplying SAF to Air France-KLM in line with France’s SAF incorporation mandate.
TotalEnergies is also exploring co-processing SAF production at other European refineries by 2025.
