Swedavia Expands Joint SAF Procurement Initiative in Sweden

Swedish state-owned airport operator Swedavia AB has broadened its joint procurement initiative for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), inviting new corporate partners to aggregate demand and accelerate the decarbonization of business travel. The program aims to make SAF more accessible and cost-effective, directly supporting Sweden's ambitious national climate goals and forthcoming European Union mandates.

This collaborative approach addresses the primary barrier to wider SAF adoption: its high cost compared to conventional jet fuel. By pooling the purchasing power of multiple organizations, the initiative sends a strong demand signal to fuel producers, which is considered critical for scaling up production and reducing costs over time. In its 2025 procurement round, the initiative ordered a total of 300 tonnes of SAF. Of this amount, 215 tonnes were purchased on behalf of Swedavia itself to cover its own business travel needs.

Therese Forsström, Head of Sustainable Development at Swedavia, emphasized the immediate impact of such collaborations. She stated that the joint effort demonstrates that aviation's fossil fuel emissions can be significantly reduced today by choosing SAF. This sentiment is echoed by local government partners, such as Luleå municipality. Carina Sammeli, Chair of the Municipal Executive Committee in Luleå, noted that while the region depends on air travel, it must also take responsibility for reducing its climate impact.

National and European Context

Swedavia's initiative is aligned with a multi-layered regulatory and policy framework aimed at reducing aviation's environmental footprint. The Swedish aviation industry has set a goal for all domestic flights to be fossil-free by 2030 and for all flights departing from Sweden to be fossil-free by 2045. These targets are part of the country's broader objective to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

At a continental level, the European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation, part of the 'Fit for 55' package, creates a binding obligation for increased SAF usage. According to the European Commission, the regulation mandates a minimum SAF blend of 2% at all EU airports starting in 2025. This requirement will progressively increase, reaching 70% by 2050. Swedavia's procurement model serves as a practical mechanism for airlines and corporate customers to meet and exceed these initial blending requirements.

A Model for Industry Action

The joint procurement model is an increasingly common strategy among airport operators and airlines. Swedavia, which has been purchasing SAF for its own corporate travel since 2016 and began coordinating joint procurements in 2019, has established a leading position in this area. The company's own ground operations at its ten airports have been fossil-free since 2020, an achievement independently certified through the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program developed by Airports Council International (ACI).

To further stimulate uptake, Swedavia offers financial incentives. The operator provides discounts to airlines, reimbursing up to 50% of the premium cost associated with refueling with SAF at its airports. This helps mitigate the significant price difference between SAF and traditional kerosene.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF is the most significant tool for decarbonizing aviation in the medium and long term. IATA data shows that SAF can reduce lifecycle fossil carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. The trade body estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the total emissions reduction needed for the aviation industry to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

What Comes Next

As the 2025 start date for the ReFuelEU Aviation mandate approaches, initiatives like Swedavia's will become increasingly crucial. The focus will be on expanding the number of participating organizations to further scale demand and on securing a stable supply of SAF, which remains limited globally. The success of these programs will be vital for demonstrating the viability of a market-driven approach to aviation decarbonization, complementing the regulatory mandates set by governments.

Swedavia's efforts are part of a comprehensive environmental responsibility strategy that positions the operator as a key enabler of the industry's green transition.

Why This Matters

This expansion of Swedavia's SAF procurement initiative is significant as it provides a scalable model for other airport operators and corporations to tackle the high cost of decarbonization. It demonstrates how aggregating demand can create a more stable market for SAF producers, which is essential for increasing supply and lowering costs. For the aviation industry, this collaborative approach represents a practical step toward meeting stringent national and international emissions reduction targets.

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