Taiwanese international airline EVA Air and Airbus have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and explore decarbonisation pathways within EVA Air’s operations.

The agreement was formalised during a ceremony in Taipei to celebrate EVA Air’s order of 18 long-range A350-1000 and 15 single-aisle A321neo aircraft.

Recognising SAF as a crucial component of the aviation industry’s decarbonisation efforts, the joint initiative aims to prepare the ecosystem for SAF adoption and ensure necessary infrastructure readiness. Over the next 24 months, EVA Air and Airbus will collaborate to analyse potential contributions of various measures, develop procurement processes, manage SAF certification, and promote awareness of regular SAF usage.  

“Fuel efficiency, carbon reduction, and cabin comfort have become paramount considerations for airline fleet modernisation,” said Clay Sun, president, EVA Air. “Our partnership with Airbus aligns with our commitment to achieving a Net Zero future through the use of SAF and innovative technologies.”

Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, echoed Sun’s sentiments, stating: “the A350-1000 is an industry-leading aircraft in terms of passenger comfort and environmental performance. By working closely with EVA Air, we aim to explore ways to reduce carbon emissions across its operations and prepare for the future adoption of SAF.”

EVA Air’s investment in the latest generation of Airbus aircraft is a significant step towards reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions by up to 25% compared to previous generation aircraft. The airline has already demonstrated its leadership in SAF adoption by performing its first passenger flight using a 40% SAF blend in August 2023.

In addition to SAF adoption, EVA Air has implemented various operational improvement programs to reduce its carbon footprint, including low-drag approach, continuous descent operations, and carbon offset programs.

Airbus has set a goal for all its aircraft to be capable of operating with up to 100% SAF by 2030. The partnership between EVA Air and Airbus marks a significant milestone in the industry’s collective efforts to decarbonise aviation and ensure a sustainable future for air travel.