Aena and ALA support Avikor, a platform that promotes the use of sustainable aviation fuel

Earlier today in Barcelona, Exolum’s chief executive officer, Jorge Lanza, Aena’s Innovation, Sustainability and Customer Experience Manager and CGO, Amparo Brea and the president of ALA (Spanish Airlines Association), Javier Gándara, presented the Avikor platform, which offers both individuals and companies the possibility to fly in a sustainable manner, making it possible to reduce flight emissions by using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

During the ceremony, the environmental advantages offered by the use of sustainable fuel compared to conventional fuels were explained.  Sustainable biofuels are the best option to reduce CO₂ emissions in the aviation industry since, over the course of their life cycle, they avoid up to 80% of these emissions.

Aena’s Innovation, Sustainability and Customer Experience Manager and CGO, Amparo Brea, highlighted that “the reconciliation of air traffic and sustainability is a strategic priority for all agents in the industry. Along these lines, Aena’s Climate Action Plan includes actions aimed at promoting the production/consumption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) among airline companies. The transition towards a decarbonised economy requires joint efforts to face one of humanity’s greatest challenges.”

For his part, ALA’s president, Javier Gándara, emphasised the focus of the aviation industry on the use of sustainable fuels, as this will allow the transition of the industry towards a more sustainable model combined with other technological solutions. In this regard, he welcomed the Avikor project, which brings SAF, passengers and the overall industry together, thus making it possible to progress to more sustainable aviation. “Airline companies have set ourselves the target to have carbon-neutral emissions by 2050; in order to achieve this, sustainable fuel is essential,” stated Gándara.

Jorge Lanza, Exolum’s chief executive officer, stated that “we have created the Avikor platform which, aligned with our commitment to sustainability and the promotion of more environmentally-friendly fuels, enables any passenger to fly in a more sustainable manner. In this regard, we should be aware that we all have a carbon footprint, either directly or indirectly, and that reducing the impact of our flights is possible if we put our minds to it.”

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a second-generation fuel produced from organic waste (farming or forestry waste, urban waste, plastic, recycled oils, etc.). Its chemical composition is identical to conventional kerosene and it can be blended and burned in the engine of the aircraft without any issues. Therefore, sustainable aviation fuel represents an important example of circular economy.

Avikor, flying with both feet on the ground

 One of the major challenges of the aviation industry is the reduction of its environmental impact. As such, Avikor is part of a series of initiatives that the major agents and companies in the industry are developing to achieve this target.

Avikor offers any passenger of any airline flying from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas Airport (individuals, companies, travel agencies or airlines) the possibility to fly while reducing the CO₂ emissions of their flight, by just entering their flight code in www.avikor.com.

The model is flexible, adapted to each user or company and it can be acquired to eliminate the desired fraction of CO₂ emissions as another extra service, regardless of the airline flown with.

To this end, Avikor calculates the litres of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) needed to reduce the emissions caused by the flights the customer has requested and it introduces this fuel into the fuelling system of the airport, replacing traditional kerosene. The customer pays the difference in price between the two fuel types.

Avikor supplies the amount of SAF acquired for the flights each day, and the customers receive a message informing them that the SAF they have purchased has been dispatched to the airport before their flight takes off. Avikor is certified by AENOR (Spanish Association for Standardisation and Certification), which is an independent entity that validates the volume of sustainable fuel contracted by each passenger. For more information, visit www.avikor.com