Rolls-Royce is fuelling the journey to net zero

Image:  Rolls-Royce

As a first of its kind, this flexible programme combines independently verified sustainability projects with direct investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, aiming to support further and accelerate the availability and use of SAF in the aviation industry. 

SAFinity enables business aviation customers to operate flights in a carbon-neutral way. It is available for all business aircraft and engines from any manufacturer and is part of our ongoing ambition to play a leading role in enabling the sectors in which we operate to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

On the occasion of EBACE Connect, the virtual European business aviation convention & exhibition, Rolls-Royce and Luxaviation Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will make the Luxembourgian company, which is one of the world’s largest business aircraft operators, the launch customer for this new service.

Frank Moesta, senior vice president strategy & future programmes at Rolls-Royce Deutschland, said: “As the leader in business aviation services we are excited about bringing our pioneering service SAFinity to the market and with Luxaviation Group we found the perfect, sustainability-focused launch partner to start at reasonable scale. While we are also working on electrification or hydrogen technologies as long-term alternatives to fossil fuels, the use of SAF as a low-emission solution is essential to today’s decarbonisation of long-distance air travel and we actively support the ramp-up of its availability to the aviation industry.”

Nicolas Kroll, Head of Sustainability Projects, Luxaviation Group, added: “This partnership with Rolls-Royce is a further manifestation of Luxaviation’s corporate sustainability strategy that has seen the launch of a number of initiatives in 2021. We have been integrating sustainability into our decision-making process for a number of years already to improve our ways of operating as part of our promise to our customers and employees. We seek to continuously improve the way we do business and strive to offer a sustainable journey, both on the ground and in the air. To achieve this, industry engagement and partnerships are key to success. In this spirit, we are very proud to partner with Rolls-Royce for the roll-out of their SAFinity programme for business aviation.“

In recent tests, Rolls-Royce demonstrated that current engines for large civil and business jet applications can operate with 100% SAF as a full “drop-in” option, laying the groundwork for moving this type of fuel towards certification. At present, SAF is only certified for blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel. Unblended Sustainable Aviation Fuels have the potential to significantly reduce net CO2 lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel.