Wizz Air and Airbus launch SAF trial ahead of EU mandates

Wizz Air has announced a trial using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in collaboration with Airbus.
This positions Wizz Air at the forefront of compliance with the EU’s forthcoming RefuelEU aviation regulations, which are set to take effect in 2025.
The trial will involve flights across two major routes, Barcelona to Budapest and Brussels Charleroi to Budapest, with SAF supplied by Cepsa and distributed by World Fuel Services, a World Kinect Company for each departure airport respectively and to be completed by the end of the year.
Wizz Air will purchase up to 16 metric tons of pure SAF through an up to 5% SAF blend in the Barcelona-El Prat Airport and up to 18 metric tons of pure SAF through an up to 10% SAF blend in the Brussels Charleroi Airport.
Yvonne Moynihan, Wizz Air’s Corporate and ESG officer, said: “This cross-industry collaboration with Airbus is a demonstration of the commitment of the aviation community to reduce emissions intensity. It's crucial for all actors in the aviation ecosystem to play their part and join forces to reach the industry goal of net zero by 2050.
“SAF is a key enabler and that is why Wizz Air supports this pioneering EU policy and has made significant strategic investments into SAF as a result.”
Julie Kitcher, Airbus’ chief sustainability officer and communications, said: “At Airbus, we are committed to driving the adoption of SAF as an essential element of our decarbonisation strategy.
“Fuel-efficient aircraft and SAF will provide the majority of the emissions reductions our industry needs to make by 2050, which is why working together - with partners like Wizz Air - to efficiently integrate SAF across airline operations is such an important step to be taking today.”
Airbus will support Wizz Air in this trial, providing technical guidance and expertise to maximise the efficiency of SAF integration across operations. By proactively embracing SAF and laying the groundwork for the adoption of the new regulatory frameworks, Wizz Air is poised to deliver more carbon efficient air travel options for millions of European passengers.