Croatia Airlines completes first flights with sustainable aviation fuel

Croatia Airlines conducted its first flights using sustainable aviation fuel, within preparations for mandatory use in the European Union, scheduled to start in 2025.

Croatia Airlines revealed that it operated flights using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time, to prepare for the introduction of a law on increasing the uptake of sustainable fuels from 2025.

The company used the fuels on aircraft Airbus 319 and Dash 8-Q400 for international flights from Zagreb to Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, London and Zurich, and domestic lines Zagreb-Split, Zagreb-Dubrovnik-Zagreb and Zagreb-Pula-Zadar.

According to Croatia Airlines, SAF is produced from raw materials that meet sustainability criteria and mixed with fossil aviation fuel.

EU’s regulation stipulates a gradual increase in the obligatory share of green fuels from 2% to 70% by 2050

Following a plenary vote in the European Parliament, the Council of the EU approved the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation in October. The law obliges airports and fuel suppliers to ensure that, starting from 2025, at least 2% of aviation fuel is green. The mandatory share is scheduled to be raised every five years: to 6% in 2030, 20% in 2035, 34% in 2040, 42% in 2045 and to 70% in 2050.

SAF includes synthetic fuels and certain biofuels produced from agricultural and forestry biomass, algae, biowaste, waste cooking oil and certain animal fats. Green hydrogen and fuels from recycled waste gases and waste plastic are also recognized as green.

The use of SAF doesn’t require any changes to an aircraft’s fuel tanks

The company said the SAF was provided by domestic oil and gas company INA. It confirms its preparedness to fulfill the legal obligation that enters into force in 2025, aimed at decarbonizing air transportation, according to Croatian Airlines.

The firm noted that using SAF doesn’t require any changes inside an airplane’s fuel tanks and added it can be used in all its aircraft. It makes the use simple and ensures cleaner air, Croatia Airlines said.

The company claims SAF reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the fuel life cycle by 60% to 80%.