Airbus has launched a pilot programme aimed at scaling the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) through the introduction of a “Book and Claim” system. The initiative seeks to overcome logistical and supply chain barriers, offering a flexible mechanism to support increased SAF use across the aviation sector.
Under the Book and Claim model, purchasers can buy SAF and claim the associated carbon emissions reductions—even if the fuel itself is used elsewhere. This decouples the physical delivery of SAF from its environmental benefits, thereby allowing wider participation from operators who are geographically distant from SAF supply points or require smaller volumes.
The pilot will run throughout 2025, with Airbus facilitating transactions by purchasing SAF certificates and managing sustainability credentials through the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), a recognised certification authority. These certificates will then be offered to interested parties, including aircraft and helicopter operators, to stimulate demand and enable emissions reporting in line with industry standards.
SMBC Aviation Capital became the first to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the initiative. Other early supporters include AerCap, Comlux, Luxaviation, Novespace, Rive Private Investment, and SAF Aerogroup—reflecting growing cross-sector interest in collaborative SAF solutions.
Julien Manhes, Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Carbon Dioxide Removals at Airbus, stated: “The Book and Claim mechanism is an immediate and practical solution to help scale the global SAF market. Smaller operators often face difficulties accessing SAF, and this initiative allows Airbus to help remove those barriers by securing SAF certificates and distributing them when and where they’re needed.”
The pilot is expected to yield insights into the viability and scalability of the system, and evaluate market interest in third-party facilitation of such SAF mechanisms. It also aims to strengthen confidence in Book and Claim as a credible method for SAF accounting across voluntary and regulatory frameworks.
