- Iberia Maintenance will use 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its engine tests, cutting CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes annually.
- Cepsa will supply over 36 tonnes of second-generation SAF from organic waste and used cooking oils in 2024.
- The initiative supports IAG’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050, with Iberia and Cepsa collaborating on sustainable aviation fuel research and electrification efforts.
Iberia Maintenance will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in its engine tests at La Muñoza, near the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport. By incorporating 5% SAF, the company aims to cut 115 tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly.
The company became the first in Spain to continuously use SAF for commercial airline engine testing. The biofuel will come from Cepsa, a Spanish energy company that will supply over 36 tonnes of SAF this year. The fuel is made from organic waste and used cooking oils and will be produced at Cepsa’s La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva.
Iberia’s Director of Sustainability, Teresa Parejo, highlighted the significance of the move: “Using SAF in our tests allows us to reduce emissions by 115 tonnes annually. Collaboration and innovation are essential to reaching the aviation industry’s net-zero goal by 2050.”
Marta Cencillo, Cepsa’s head of sustainable aviation, echoed the initiative’s importance: “We are committed to supporting Iberia in making its operations more sustainable. In the coming years, SAF will be essential for decarbonising the aviation sector.”
This step is part of the International Airlines Group’s (IAG) broader environmental strategy. The group, which includes Iberia, has set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To help achieve this, Iberia and Iberia Express signed a collaboration agreement with Cepsa. The deal covers research into SAF and other renewable energy sources and the electrification of airport ground vehicles.
Iberia’s efforts in sustainable mobility include using SAF in operations, reducing emissions in engine tests, and exploring cleaner energy alternatives. The airline’s and Cepsa’s collaboration reflects the growing focus on decarbonisation across the industry.
The SAF provided by Cepsa is second-generation, meaning it is made from non-food-based sources, helping reduce the aviation industry’s overall carbon footprint. It is expected to play a vital role as the industry works toward reducing its reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
SAF is seen as crucial for future airline operations in addition to engine testing. Both Iberia and Cepsa are leading efforts in Spain to promote the use of sustainable fuel in commercial aviation. The companies are also exploring other energy alternatives that could contribute to reducing emissions.
With the aviation industry responsible for a significant share of global emissions, the shift to SAF is seen as a necessary step for the future of air travel. This collaboration aims to ensure Spain’s role in the push for greener aviation.
As the sector looks toward the 2050 net-zero target, Iberia Maintenance’s use of SAF in its engine test benchmarks an essential step toward greener aviation. With Cepsa’s support, Iberia is positioned to lead Spain’s efforts in sustainable air travel, setting an example for other airlines to follow.