Watch manufacturer Breitling has become Swiss’ first corporate client to commit to the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) for all work-related air travel.
The SAF used by the airline and its parent company, the Lufthansa Group, is made from biogenic waste, which generates 80 per cent fewer CO2 emissions than its fossil fuel counterpart according to Swiss Air Lines.
The watch manufacturer will also offset the remaining CO2 emissions generated “via investments in high-value climate protection projects”.
The airline says that Breitling’s move sends “a strong signal to the markets to expand the production and the use of such sustainable fuels”. For more information on sustainable aviation fuel, see our feature: ‘What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?’
Dieter Vranckx, CEO of Swiss, commented on the partnership:
“Breitling and Swiss can already look back on a long and successful partnership, and I am delighted that we can now further intensify this. Breitling is serving here as an exemplary pioneer. And it’s collaborations like this which will substantially drive the further development of sustainable aviation fuels and, in doing so, accelerate the transition to more sustainable air travel.”
Georges Kern, CEO at Breitling, added:
“For us, sustainability is not a project, it’s a journey we’re on to transform our business. Achieving CO2 neutrality on our work-related Swiss flights is an important way for us to reduce our emissions and, through the purchase of SAF, make a small contribution to the sustainability transition of the aviation industry, which we’ve been closely linked to since the 1930s.”
Swiss also recently began offering its corporate clients various new products to reduce the carbon emissions generated by their business travel activities. Corporate clients and private individuals can currently purchase a commensurate volume of SAF and/or contribute to climate protection projects.
Last month Lufthansa Group and Shell signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at airports globally.
The two firms are looking to sign a contract for a total supply volume of up to 1.8 million tonnes of SAF between 2024 and 2030.
The group has also been researching forward-looking power-to-liquid and sun-to-liquid technologies, including being a partner and pilot customer of the world’s first production plant for power-to-liquid aviation fuels.
