Air France-KLM, TotalEnergies Sign Deal for 1.5M Tons of SAF

TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM have signed an agreement to supply 1.5 million tons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) over the next decade, through 2035. This partnership marks one of the largest SAF procurement deals in Air France-KLM’s history, building on a 2022 memorandum of understanding for an initial supply of 800,000 tons of SAF.

In 2022 and 2023, Air France-KLM led the world in SAF consumption, accounting for 17% and 16% of global production, respectively. The new agreement with TotalEnergies aims to accelerate these efforts. 

"Securing the volumes of more sustainable aviation fuel needed to decarbonize our activity is a major challenge. A testament to our long-standing support for the development of SAF production in France and Europe," said Benjamin Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Air France-KLM.

The SAF supplied under this agreement will be produced from waste and residues sourced from the circular economy. These fuels will be processed in TotalEnergies’ biorefineries and refineries in France and other European countries. The SAF will fuel flights operated by Air France-KLM departing from France, the Netherlands, and other European locations. According to the company, SAF can reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 75% and up to 90% over its lifecycle compared to traditional fossil fuels.

“SAF contributes both to the energy transition of our customers in the aviation sector and to the industrial transition of our refineries. It therefore represents a real 'win-win' for the future of industry and aviation,” stated Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO, TotalEnergies. 

Air France-KLM has set ambitious targets to reduce CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer by 30% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. This will be achieved through fleet renewal, operational measures such as eco-piloting, and the use of at least 10% SAF in all flights. These efforts aim to surpass current regulatory requirements, underscoring the company’s proactive approach to environmental responsibility.

The partnership between TotalEnergies and Air France-KLM dates back to 2014 when they launched "Lab'line for the Future," operating 78 flights with 10% SAF on routes between Paris-Orly and Toulouse, and Paris-Orly and Nice. Since 2022, TotalEnergies has been the primary SAF supplier for Air France-KLM under the French incorporation mandate.

To meet rising SAF demand, TotalEnergies is heavily investing in expanding its production capacity across Europe. At its Grandpuits site in France, the company is converting the facility into a zero-oil platform with a US$400 million investment. By 2025, it will produce 210,000 tons of SAF annually, with an additional 75,000 tons by 2027. In Normandy, the Gonfreville refinery is targeting 160,000 tons per year by 2025. Another project is the conversion of the La Mède refinery into a biorefinery with a US$340 million investment, aiming to produce SAF entirely from waste materials by 2025.

TotalEnergies is also exploring SAF production through co-processing at other European refineries, as part of its broader strategy to support the aviation sector’s shift towards more sustainable operations.

“For the past 10 years, we have been pioneers in the field, investing in biorefineries and SAF production facilities in France as well as developing coprocessing technologies in our refineries. Building on these industrial successes, we intend to continue this momentum in Europe and worldwide,” Pouyanné added.

Air France-KLM's SAF sourcing policy focuses on second-generation fuels that do not compete with food production and are certified by sustainability bodies such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) or the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+).