12 November 2024

Vueling promotes the development of SAF from slurry

The company collaborates with the Seduco-Wenergy group to implement research and development on the use of sustainable organic aviation fuel, produced from agricultural waste

Vueling, part of the IAG group and now in its twentieth anniversary this year, has started a collaboration with the Seduco-Wenergy group to boost the research and development of organic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), obtained from agricultural waste such as sewage. In Spain, Seduco-Wenergy has already produced batches of slurry-derived SAF, which is particularly abundant in some areas with a high concentration of pig farms. In addition, SAF is also produced using guayule, a plant that thrives in desert areas and helps to improve soil quality.

The collaboration between Vueling and Seduco-Wenergy aims to promote in-depth studies on this sustainable fuel and to make it operational on current aircraft, promoting the decarbonisation of the aviation sector.

SAF, a fuel also derived from other types of waste, such as agricultural, forestry, urban and waste oils, as well as CO2 captured and combined with green hydrogen, offers numerous advantages. These include a reduction in emissions of more than 80% compared to traditional fuels, without the need for modifications to existing aircraft.

According to a study by PwC, the development of the SAF industry in Spain could attract investments of more than €22 billion, generate 270,000 direct and indirect jobs and contribute €56 billion to the national GDP by 2050. The report also highlights the need for important incentives to accelerate aviation's green transition.

Commitment to 10% SAF by 2030

IAG, the group of which Vueling is a part, was the first airline group in Europe to commit to using 10% SAF by 2030, almost double the 6% requirement set by the European Union. Vueling is dedicated to decarbonising the sector through initiatives such as the use of SAF, improving fleet efficiency and optimising routes as part of the Flightpath Net Zero programme, which aims to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

Vueling

Vueling, an airline part of the IAG group, is one of the leading low-cost airlines in Europe and is a key carrier for connections in Spain. In addition, it is the leader in Barcelona at the Josep Tarradellas airport in Barcelona-El Prat, its main base, in Bilbao and between the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. The carrier is committed to growth internationally, thanks to its investments in bases in London (Gatwick), Paris (Orly), Amsterdam, Florence and Rome. In 2024, the company has a network of 250 routes during the year connecting 30 countries. It operates 200,000 flights per year and carried more than 34 million passengers in 2023. Short and medium-haul routes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East are operated with a fleet of Airbus A319, A320, A320neo and A321. Vueling is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through its FlightPath Net Zero strategy.

By the Editorial staff of Avion Tourism Magazine

Text source and photos: Vueling Press Office

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