European low-cost carrier Wizz Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cepsa starting in 2025 to procure sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and utilize it on its routes across Spain.
As part of an initiative to promote SAF at Seville Airport in November 2022, Wizz Air participated along with other airlines. During the week-long event, approximately 220 flights operated using SAF produced by Cepsa at its La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva, marking a significant milestone as it was the first time an airport in Southern Europe had supplied SAF on this scale.
Ian Malin, Executive Vice President and Group Chief Financial Officer at Wizz Air, said:
“We are excited to partner with Cepsa, a renowned energy company, to establish a SAF supply chain for Wizz Air in Spain. We are making biofuel a key element to maintaining our leadership in sustainability and exceeding our commitment to reducing carbon intensity by 25% by 2030.”
Wizz Air operates a variety of flights from different locations throughout Europe and beyond to a selection of popular Spanish destinations, such as Alicante, Barcelona El Prat, Bilbao, Castellon (Valencia), Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), Ibiza, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santander, Seville, Tenerife (Canary Islands), Valencia, and Zaragoza.
As the importance of sustainability grows in the airline industry, Wizz Air has recognized the necessity to address its carbon footprint and implemented a SAF strategy. The airline has secured agreements with suppliers to decrease its carbon emissions by 25% per passenger/km by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.
In 2022, Wizz Air achieved a significant milestone by reducing its annual carbon intensity to its lowest-ever, emitting 55.2 grams per passenger/km, representing a 15% decrease compared to the previous year. The airline accomplished this by adding new Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet while phasing out older models.
