On 25 August 2025, Air France’s Airbus A220 completed its inaugural flight from Airbus’s site in Mirabel to Paris. This flight was powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), delivering sustainability credentials for SAF to a customer for the first time.
This SAF-powered Airbus flight by Air France is a significant step towards a cleaner and greener aviation industry.
In addition to this, Air France’s flight is set to support the aviation industry’s commitment towards decarbonisation. The proof of the sustainability of this Airbus aircraft will be directly provided to the customers.
Blaise Brigaud, SVP Group Sustainability, Air France-KLM, said,
“Fleet renewal and the use of sustainable aviation fuel are the two main levers of the decarbonization of aviation. Combining the two is only logical, and Air France-KLM is proud to participate in this Airbus milestone with the delivery flight of one of our A220S. Air France-KLM is among the world’s largest buyers of SAF. Directly receiving SAF at delivery is a game-changer, increasing transparency and driving industry progress.”
Airbus and Air France take a step towards sustainable industry © Wikimedia Commons
A step towards sustainability
On the occasion of its inaugural flight, CEO of Airbus, Benoît Schultz, said,
“In 2025 alone, we project cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 400 metric tonnes at our Mirabel site thanks to the 170,000 litres of pure SAF we will integrate to our activities, And we’re pushing our ambition further with this ferry flight with PoS credits for 50% SAF – a significant step that comes just ahead of Air France’s 50th A220 delivery later this year. On a global scale, 78% of Airbus aircraft were delivered with SAF blend for the first half of the year, underscoring the importance our customers place on decarbonisation.”
Moreover, the A220 can operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Airbus also aims for its aircraft to be capable of flying with 100% sustainable aviation fuel by 2030.
The SAF-powered aircraft is certified for an 85% reduction in GHG emissions on its lifecycle as compared to fossil fuel aircraft. This is a significant reduction in emissions and a progressive step towards decarbonisation.
What do you think about this SAF A220 flight? Let us know in the comments below!
