AirAsia, Airbus join forces to boost SAF in ASEAN

AirAsia and Airbus have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating aviation sustainability in the ASEAN* region by focusing on research into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and advanced air traffic management (ATM) solutions.

“AirAsia will be a key partner of Airbus in ASEAN to test the feasibility of SAF output developed using alternative feedstock and technologies, as well as ground-breaking ATM initiatives supported by Airbus’ innovation teams,” said Yap Mun Ching, chief sustainability officer, Capital A (formerly known as Air Asia).

“As a regional carrier based in five ASEAN countries, we bring unparalleled operational experience in the region to complement Airbus’ technological expertise. The partnership establishes a foundation upon which to build joint projects at multiple levels that address the broad needs of improving the environmental performance of the sector.”

Under an agreement signed between the two companies, they will jointly explore decentralised production of SAF using alternative feedstocks and technologies in Southeast Asia.

The goal is to identify promising projects that can contribute to expanding SAF supply in the region.

“Airbus is contributing to the decarbonisation of aviation around the world. That means working with our customers in every region, looking at all solutions available today and collaborating on research for future technologies. AirAsia is a key partner in the ASEAN region and we are excited to work with the airline to explore operational efficiency levers, including air traffic management and scaling up the production and distribution of SAF,” said Julie Kitcher, chief sustainability officer, Airbus.

In addition, the two companies will investigate innovative measures to improve ATM efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. They will leverage AirAsia’s expertise in fuel-efficient operations and Airbus’ leading role in aeronautics, space, and related services to identify suitable solutions developed as part of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Project.

By focusing on SAF production and advanced ATM technologies, the two companies aim to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a greener aviation industry.

*The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has 10 member states including Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.