Air Canada and Airbus launch sustainability investment platform to boost Canadian SAF production

Air Canada and Airbus have announced a major step forward in their shared commitment to aviation decarbonisation, unveiling plans to create a jointly funded Sustainability Co‑Investment Platform aimed at accelerating the development of a commercial‑scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Canada.

The two companies intend to invest up to €9.2 million to support SAF innovation and production.

They emphasise that, with the right public policy framework, this investment could act as a catalyst for a broader national SAF ecosystem, helping Canada unlock its significant feedstock potential and stimulate economic growth.

A key priority for the platform will be advancing a jointly selected Canadian SAF project toward a Final Investment Decision.

Air Canada and Airbus will continue working closely with federal and provincial partners to establish structural conditions that enable SAF production at scale.

Their collaboration with the Canadian Council for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (C‑SAF) underscores a shared commitment to aligning industry action with supportive policy mechanisms, ensuring renewable fuels become both available and competitively priced for the Canadian aerospace sector.

Valerie Durand, vice-president of airport affairs, corporate real estate and Ssustainability at Air Canada, said the initiative marks meaningful progress in the airline’s energy transition efforts. “Through this joint initiative with Airbus, we are taking meaningful steps toward supporting domestic SAF production, helping corporate customers address the emissions associated with business travel, and contributing to a lower‑carbon path for the industry. With continued industry collaboration and a supportive policy environment, we are confident this momentum can accelerate.”

Julie Kitcher, Airbus chief sustainability officer and Communications, highlighted the long‑term importance of the partnership. “Decarbonising aviation will require deep industry collaboration and decades of investment in new sources of renewable energy.

“By launching this co‑investment platform and making a long‑term commitment to Air Canada’s Leave Less Travel Programme, we will help to stimulate the production of, and demand for, SAF in Canada.”