Qatar Airways Strikes Multi-Million-Dollar Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Deal at Dutch Airport

Qatar Airways has announced a multi-million-dollar deal with Shell for 3,000 metric tons of neat Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS).

The new deal, announced on May 31, 2023, includes an existing jet fuel agreement between the two companies, which will now see Qatar Airways using at least a 5% SAF blend over the contract period for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

According to the carrier, Qatar Airways is the first airline in the Middle East and Africa to procure a large SAF amount in Europe beyond government mandates.

This new agreement means that Qatar Airways will be reducing its emissions on flights from Amsterdam by approximately 7,500 tons of CO2 for the fiscal year.

The Qatar Airways bilateral agreement with Shell is part of a wider effort initiated by the oneworld alliance, which has set target of using SAF for 10% of combined fuel volumes by 2030.

“Last year, we signed our first offtake agreement in the US, and now we are placing a multi-million US dollar SAF deal in Amsterdam to illustrate our SAF commitment and reiterate our calls for a more robust SAF supply chain across our global network,” Qatar Airways Group CEO, Akbar Al Baker, said.

He added: “SAF is still 3 to 5 times more expensive than fossil-based jet fuel. This is why it is essential for all stakeholders to play their part in facilitating research & development of SAF facilities, enhancing economies of scale, providing financing and placing supportive policies.”

Jan Toschka, president of Shell Aviation, praised the deal that will see the company supply Qatar Airways with SAF for the first time.

“SAF is a key lever for decarbonising aviation, but scaling its supply and use requires concerted action from across the aviation sector. Today’s agreement is a great example of the collaborative actions that are required to help accelerate aviation’s progress towards net zero,” Toschka said.