Ryanair has agreed a deal with Shell to supply sustainable aviation fuel at more than 200 airports across Europe.
The memo of understanding with the global energy group to advance the supply of SAF has a particular focus on the no-frills airline’s largest bases such as Dublin and Stansted.
While SAF is a key enabler of aviation decarbonisation, it currently accounts for just a small fraction of worldwide jet fuel usage.
The agreement with Shell gives Ryanair potential access to 360,000 tonnes – 120 million gallons – of SAF between 2025 and 2030.
The SAF “could potentially” be produced from multiple different technology pathways and a broad range of sustainable feedstocks, according to the airline.
Ryanair believes the initiative could save more than 900,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to over 70,000 flights from Dublin to Milan.
The carrier has set ambitious targets of 12.5% SAF usage by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Speaking at Ryanair’s Sustainability Day in TCD,
Sustainability director, Thomas Fowler said: “SAF plays a key role in our pathway to net zero strategy, and also our commitment to a target of 12.5% SAF by 2030.
“Today’s agreement with Shell helps Ryanair secure access to c.20% of this ambitious goal. Shell is a key sustainability partner for Ryanair, and we look forward to building on this collaboration as our group grows sustainably to carry 225 million passengers annually by full year 2026.”
Shell Aviation president Jan Toschka added: “This initial agreement demonstrates that both companies recognise that SAF is the key to unlock a net zero future for aviation.
“We share the same ambition to enable Ryanair’s passengers to fly lower carbon. Leadership and bold actions are needed to accelerate the decarbonisation of flight, and today’s announcement is a great example of this.”