The flag carrier of Russia Aeroflot and Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft stepped into agreement over the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in the country.
On September 23, 2021, both countries agreed to collaborate in the production and use of SAF in the Russian aviation market. According to the chief executive officer of Aeroflot Mikhail Poluboyarinov, even though the group had already reduced its carbon footprint by 30% over the past 10 years, it aims to continue cutting the greenhouse gas it emits. Therefore, the airline aims to fuel its jets with Russia-made SAF in the future.
“Aeroflot Group has always paid close attention to environmental efficiency. By upgrading our fleet and operating modern aircraft, we have been able to reduce our carbon footprint by 30% over the past decade. And it’s rewarding to know that our subsidiary airline, Pobeda, which is the main focus of our growth strategy, is already one of the greenest airlines in Europe,“ Poluboyarinov was quoted in the Aeroflot statement.
“The agreement we have signed with Gazprom Neft to develop sustainable fuel is the next important step in improving our environmental efficiency,” the Aeroflot CEO added.
“While we reaffirm our commitment to the environmental priorities of the global aviation industry, it is also very important for Aeroflot Group that the use of SAF should be not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable.”
Both parties involved hope that the recently signed agreement, which comes as the first deal of its kind In Russia, will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Russian aviation sector by up to 80%. Following the agreement, Gazprom Neft will develop various potential formulations of aviation fuel in its Industrial Innovation Technology Center in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to offer fuel options, which could be used to power different aircraft types.
“Both domestically and abroad, we see potentially significant demand from the aviation industry for green fuel, given the goal to reduce the carbon intensity of air travel. With its technical and scientific capacities, Gazprom Neft is able to play an active role in the development of such a product,” Alexander Dyukov, the chairman of the management board of Gazprom Neft, said.
Gazprom Neft expects that the partnership with the largest airline in Russia will help the company to make the SAF development and production more efficient.
“The agreement signed with Gazprom Neft in the field of sustainable fuel development is an important step in improving environmental efficiency,” Dyukov added.