Neste to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to Air New Zealand marking the airline’s largest purchase of SAF to date
Neste Corporation, Press Release, 19 December 2024 at 8 a.m. (EET)
Photo: Air New Zealand
Neste and Air New Zealand have signed an agreement for the supply of 23,000 tons (30 million liters) of neat, i.e. unblended Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™. It is the airline's largest purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to date. The SAF will be used by Air New Zealand at Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) international airports through to February 2026.
The agreement follows earlier deliveries of Neste-produced SAF to Air New Zealand at LAX in 2024 and at Auckland Airport in New Zealand in 2022. The sustainable aviation fuel will be blended with conventional jet fuel before use to meet the jet fuel specifications. The fuel will be delivered to Air New Zealand via the fuel supply systems at both US airports using Neste’s existing fuel supply capabilities into these airports.
“This purchase represents 1.6% of Air New Zealand’s total fuel supply for our financial year 2025 meaning we will reach our SAF target for the year. It is still a very small proportion of our total fuel use but it is four times more than the volume of SAF we used in our financial year 2024, so I am very happy with the trajectory. Like all airlines, we urgently need to move away from our high reliance on fossil fuels as quickly as we can, and securing year-on-year higher volumes of SAF is critical,” says Kiri Hannifin, Air New Zealand's Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer.
“We are proud to support Air New Zealand’s efforts to increase their use of SAF to reduce aviation emissions. This supply of our Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel at Los Angeles and San Francisco airports is another great step in our cooperation, and we are looking forward to continuing working together with Air New Zealand to help them reach their climate goals,” says Alexander Kueper, Vice President Renewable Aviation Business at Neste.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable aviation fuel providing a more sustainable alternative to conventional, fossil-based jet fuel. Using Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™ reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%* over the fuel’s life cycle, compared to using conventional jet fuel. Neste’s SAF is made from 100% renewable waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil and animal fat waste. SAF is blended with conventional jet fuel before use and works seamlessly with existing aircraft engines and fueling infrastructure.
*) When used in neat form (i.e. unblended) and calculated with established life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, such as CORSIA methodology
Neste Corporation
Hanna Maula
Senior Vice President, Communications, Sustainability and Public Affairs
Further information:
Neste: Please contact Neste's media service, tel. +358 800 94025 / media@neste.com (weekdays from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. EET). Please subscribe to Neste’s releases at https://www.neste.com/media/subscribe.
Air New Zealand: Please contact Air New Zealand Communications, tel. +64 21 747 320 / media@airnz.co.nz
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) uses science and innovative technology to transform waste and other resources into renewable fuels and circular raw materials. The company creates solutions for mitigating climate change and accelerating a shift to a circular economy. Being the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel and a forerunner in developing renewable and circular feedstock solutions for polymers and chemicals, the company aims to help its customers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 million tons annually by 2030.
The company’s ambition is to make the Porvoo oil refinery in Finland the most sustainable refinery in Europe. Neste is committed to reaching carbon-neutral production by 2035, and will reduce the carbon emission intensity of sold products by 50% by 2040. Neste has also set high standards for biodiversity, human rights and the supply chain. The company has consistently been included in the CDP and the DJSI lists of the world’s most sustainable companies. In 2023, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 22.9 billion. Read more: neste.com
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand’s story started in 1940, first taking to the skies between Auckland and Sydney on a flying boat - a Short S30. Known for its warm Kiwi hospitality, today, the airline has operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s, offering customers comfort in the latest most efficient jets and turboprops. It’s a modern fuel-efficient fleet with an average age of 8.7 years. Air New Zealand’s global network of passenger and cargo services centres around New Zealand. In 2023, the airline flew more than 16 million passengers. Air New Zealand was named 2024 World's Safest Airline by the Australian rating service AirlineRatings.com, highlighting the airline’s laser-focus on safety and won Best Corporate Reputation in New Zealand in 2023 – the 9th year in a row.
Air New Zealand has a well-connected domestic business, connecting customers and cargo to 20 different regions around New Zealand. Internationally, the airline has direct flights to major cities across Australia, Asia, the Pacific Islands and the US, and through its strong relationships with alliance partners, offers customers more choice and convenience to connect further afield to hundreds of destinations. Air New Zealand has a particular focus on sustainability and its Sustainability Framework helps guide the airline’s efforts in tackling some of New Zealand's and the world's most complex challenges. Airpoints, Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme, is seen as the most valuable loyalty programme in New Zealand with more than 4 million members. It allows members to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points for VIP benefits in the air and on the ground. Air New Zealand aircraft are proudly identified by its distinct tail livery of the Mangōpare, the Māori symbol of the hammerhead shark which represents strength, tenacity, and resilience.
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