Budapest Airport and Wizz Air, in cooperation with fuel suppler MOL, Neste, and RÜK (Airport Fuel Supply Kft.) have started commercially testing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply. The project supports broader aviation industry efforts to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions and aims at preparing the supply system of Budapest Airport ahead of the SAF blending mandates introduction in 2025.
“Today’s SAF test, which is ahead of the legislative mandates coming in 2025, demonstrates that industry collaboration is one of the most impactful ways to address the current climate challenge,” said Yvonne Moynihan, Corporate and ESG Officer, Wizz Air. “While Wizz Air is already leading in sustainability with one of the world’s youngest aircraft fleets and highly efficient operations, the SAF initiative at Budapest Airport is a testament to our broader strategy with alternative fuels playing a significant role in it. This marks further progress in our commitment to reduce our carbon intensity by 25% by 2030 and shows we remain laser focused on technology and innovation.”
On 10 May, Wizz Air took off from Budapest Airport for the first time with a 37% blend of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel supplied by MOL. During the SAF test, Wizz Air’s three latest Airbus A321neo aircraft were fitted with a total of 23.5 tonnes of a blend containing 37% pure SAF and 63% Jet A1 fuel. They carried passengers from Budapest to Stockholm, Paris and London using the SAF blend.
“Our strategic goal is to kick-start the region’s circular economy and make our operations carbon neutral by 2050,” said Csaba Zsótér, Senior Vice President, MOL Group’s Downstream Fuels. “We are constantly testing new technologies and developing our products to strengthen the region’s security of supply with low-carbon fuels and accelerate the green transition. So far, we have mainly taken steps in road transport fuels: at the Danube Refinery, for example, we have been co-processing vegetable oils, used cooking oils and animal fats with fossil components since 2021 to produce more sustainable diesel. We are now moving into a new area, working with our partners to gain experience in aviation fuels and to make aviation more sustainable. I am confident that the first shipment, which is now being launched as a commercial test, will be followed by many more.”
