A consortium of Denmark’s leading aviation players has signed a collaboration agreement to support the domestic production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF), in a bid to accelerate the industry’s decarbonisation and position the country as a global leader in sustainable flight.
The partnership, comprising Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), Copenhagen Airport, and Aalborg Airport, aims to combine expertise and resources to drive the aviation industry’s green transition and meet national and EU sustainability targets.
Central to the agreement is the advancement of Fjord PtX, a Power-to-X project developed by CIP that focuses on producing synthetic eSAF. The collaboration seeks to create favourable conditions for the success of Fjord PtX and establish a “sustainability valley” in Denmark, where renewable energy can be converted into sustainable fuel, generating green industrial jobs and enhancing energy independence.
The alliance comes as the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, the European Union’s ReFuelEU Aviation proposal mandates a ramp-up in the supply and use of sustainable aviation fuels.
Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS, noted the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “This agreement lays a solid foundation for our shared sustainability objectives, enabling us to address the critical challenges of the industry’s green transformation collectively.”
Søren Toftgaard, partner at CIP, underscored the need for regulatory support to facilitate the growth of the nascent sustainable aviation fuel industry. “Clear and supportive schemes from European and Danish governments and authorities will be vital for the scaling up of this new industry,” he said.
Christian Poulsen, CEO of Copenhagen Airports, acknowledged the urgency of developing sustainable fuel alternatives, while Niels Kjær Hemmingsen, CEO of Aalborg Airport, highlighted Aalborg’s strategic resources for the Fjord PtX project.
The collaboration signals Denmark’s ambition to establish itself as a pioneer in sustainable aviation, leveraging its unique resources and commitment to green initiatives. However, the success of this endeavour will hinge on the alignment of public policy, private investment, and technological innovation.
The consortium’s efforts are likely to be closely watched by the global aviation industry as it seeks to balance the growing demand for air travel with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
