Air New Zealand has launched a global open invitation to innovators and startups in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sector to become a supply partner to the airline. It is the first time an airline has made a global call to potential suppliers in the SAF industry to work together on supply opportunities.
The airline’s Opportunity Statement provides an overview of Air New Zealand’s SAF requirements based on its network, fleet, sustainability targets and criteria. It is intended to kickstart discussion for ongoing collaboration, as well as identify new opportunities.
“Air New Zealand plays an essential role in connecting New Zealand’s people, tourism, and trade to the world, but we must find a way to do this more sustainably and as quickly as we can,” said Kiri Hannifin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Air New Zealand. “A stable supply of SAF is critical to our ability to reduce carbon emissions and continue to play this role for the long-term. That’s why we’ve taken this novel approach, asking emerging SAF producers from around the world to connect with us and respond to the Opportunity Statement. Air New Zealand is an ideal airline partner for SAF innovators and producers. We have a mature understanding of SAF, a clear roadmap to meet our targets, and the volumes of SAF we need to align with current production capabilities. Our airline is known for pushing boundaries and challenging ourselves to think differently, and we’re also deeply committed to meeting our decarbonisation goals. This Opportunity Statement shares our vision and allows current and future SAF producers to recognise both the opportunity and Air New Zealand’s ambition to become a customer as soon as possible.”
Air New Zealand’s interim target, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), requires a 28.9% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030, from a 2019 baseline. Air New Zealand anticipates it will need SAF to make up around 20% of its total fuel uptake by 2030, alongside a long-term and strategic regulatory package, which it is actively advocating for.
This is the latest step in Air New Zealand’s journey to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, after partnering with pioneers of next-generation aircraft technology through its Mission Next Gen Aircraft Programme, co-funding the research and development of a domestic SAF industry, and investing in the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund.
