Bordeaux-based business aviation airline Airlec has operated a medical assistance flight fuelled with sustainable aviation fuel from Bordeaux airport, on the first day that the fuel became permanently available there.

“Although our aeromedical operation is a public service, Airlec is particularly aware of its environmental impact as well. To this end, sustainable fuel is the only solution currently available. The refuelling that has taken place is being used for a paediatric repatriation flight,” says general director Paul Tiba.

Bordeaux airport has just become France's first commercial airport with over a million passengers to permanently offer sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The SAF is produced at TotalEnergies sites using cooking oil mixed with traditional fuel (Jet-A1) in Gironde to produce a 30:70 blend. This reduces CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent across the SAF's entire life cycle compared to the fossil fuel equivalent. It has similar technical properties to Jet-A1 and does not require any changes to aircraft, logistical infrastructure or refuelling operations.

Using biofuel for refuelling in Bordeaux is a significant development in the effort to decarbonise air transport, while supporting innovation in French industry and contributing to the economic dynamism of the Bordeaux metropolitan area.

“We are proud to be able to permanently offer this service to airlines at Bordeaux airport and therefore contribute to reducing their carbon footprint. By making these new biofuels available, we are contributing to creating a French industry located in our region. As an airport operator, we are not only committed to decarbonising all airport activities, but also to supporting the objective to transform the entire aviation sector by 2050,” says CEO Simon Deschel.

“SAF is the currently available solution that makes significant reductions in CO2 emissions from air travel. Bordeaux airport is the third airport where TotalEnergies is permanently offering SAF at an incorporation rate of 30 per cent, after Le Bourget and Clermont-Ferrand,” adds CEO Joël Navaron.