Volotea Sets New Sustainability Milestone with 7 Million Liters of SAF in 2025, Accelerating the Aviation Industry’s Shift Towards Eco-Friendly Fuels

Volotea, a leading airline that connects small and mid-sized cities across Europe, has made impressive strides in advancing its sustainability goals. The company’s growing commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting responsible aviation is evident in its recent milestone achievements in the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Volotea’s progress in 2025 marks a remarkable leap forward, significantly outpacing the industry’s average SAF adoption rates.

A Breakthrough Year for SAF Usage in 2025

Volotea’s use of more than 7 million liters of SAF in 2025 marks a significant increase compared to the previous year’s consumption of approximately 1.3 million liters. This is over five times the amount of SAF the airline used in 2024, and the figures reflect a deliberate and strategic move to adopt cleaner alternatives to traditional jet fuels. SAF now accounts for over 2% of the airline’s total fuel consumption, a figure that not only exceeds the industry average of 0.6% but also surpasses the European Union’s 2025 SAF target of 2%.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) views SAF as one of the most promising solutions to reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Volotea’s SAF initiatives are well aligned with this global vision. The airline’s efforts are set to reduce its lifecycle CO2 emissions by up to 80% when using SAF compared to conventional jet fuel.

Volotea’s Strategic Focus on SAF Adoption

In addition to meeting industry targets, Volotea’s progress has been driven by collaborations with industry players like TotalEnergies and Repsol. These partnerships have facilitated significant access to SAF, with Volotea securing 7.5 million liters of SAF through 2029 for flights departing from French airports and an additional 6.1 million liters at Spanish airports. This proactive approach ensures that Volotea can meet its growing SAF demand and stay ahead of regulatory changes in the European aviation market.

The ReFuelEU Aviation regulation has set ambitious SAF blending goals, with the first milestone at 2% for 2025, followed by 6% by 2030 and 70% by 2050. Volotea’s early adoption places it in a leading position, with the company already surpassing the 2% threshold in 2025. This achievement is made even more significant by a voluntary SAF program that the airline initiated with its customers. The Paris-Orly and Rodez routes operated at a 6% SAF blend for about three months, highlighting the airline’s ability to integrate SAF into its operations despite challenges related to fuel availability.

Paving the Way for Sustainable Aviation in Europe

Volotea’s sustainability efforts extend beyond fuel adoption. The airline has significantly reduced its carbon intensity (CO2 per passenger-kilometer), achieving a reduction of more than 51% by the end of 2024, six years ahead of its initial target. With a new goal of achieving a 55%-60% reduction by 2030, Volotea is well on its way to further reducing its environmental impact.

The airline’s operational model, which focuses on direct flights between small and medium-sized cities, further contributes to sustainability. Direct flights can reduce emissions by up to 56% compared to connecting routes, making Volotea’s network both more efficient and environmentally friendly. The airline also boasts an impressive load factor of over 90% since 2018, ensuring that its flights remain full, further optimizing fuel efficiency.

Strengthening the European Aviation Market

As Volotea continues to grow, it is expanding its reach across Europe. By 2026, the airline will offer more than 430 routes, a 12% increase over 2025, with approximately 14 million seats. Volotea has also reached the milestone of transporting over 80 million passengers across its network, solidifying its position as one of Europe’s fastest-growing carriers. The airline serves 110 airports and operates bases in 21 small and medium-sized European cities, including popular destinations like Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Venice.

The company’s focus on smaller cities and regional airports not only contributes to local economic development but also enhances the cultural connections between the regions it serves. Volotea’s dedication to sustainability and innovation has earned it accolades within the travel industry. In 2023 and 2024, Volotea was named the “Best Low-Cost Airline in Europe” at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, and it has been recognized multiple times at the World Travel Awards as “Europe’s Leading Low-Cost Airline.”

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sustainable Aviation

The scaling of SAF and the airline’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint are just the beginning. Volotea has set its sights on contributing to the long-term decarbonization of the aviation industry. By continuing to focus on SAF and efficiency improvements, the airline is poised to be a key player in Europe’s push towards more sustainable air travel.

Volotea’s sustainability initiatives are an essential part of the broader global effort to reduce aviation emissions. The airline’s success in adopting SAF and reducing its carbon intensity ahead of schedule is a testament to its commitment to a cleaner, greener future for air travel.

In the coming years, Volotea aims to continue increasing its SAF consumption, focusing on enhancing partnerships and fostering innovation in the industry. The airline’s forward-thinking approach ensures that it will be a leader in the transition to more sustainable aviation.

IMAGE AND INFORMATION SOURCE: Volotea