Thursday, August 29, 2024 Iberia Maintenance is taking a significant step towards the decarbonization of the aviation industry by committing to use 5% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) throughout the year in its engine test bench at the La Muñoza facilities, located near Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. This initiative is set to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 115 tonnes annually, marking a notable achievement in sustainable aviation practices. With this move, Iberia Maintenance becomes the first aeronautical maintenance provider in Spain to consistently incorporate SAF in its engine testing for commercial airlines.
This milestone highlights the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its leadership in the aviation sector. The SAF used in this initiative is produced by Cepsa, a leading energy company. Manufactured at Cepsa’s La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva, this second-generation biofuel is derived from organic waste and used cooking oils.
Over the course of the year, Cepsa will supply Iberia Maintenance with more than 36 tonnes of SAF, further supporting the reduction of the aviation industry’s carbon footprint. “We are very proud to have taken another step towards the decarbonisation of the sector with the use of SAF in our test bench, which will allow us to reduce our CO2 emissions by 115 tonnes. Collaboration, technology, and innovation are the essential elements to achieve the industry’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” explains Teresa Parejo, Director of Sustainability at Iberia.
In the other hand, Marta Cencillo, Head of Sustainable Aviation at Cepsa, explained “We continue to take steps together with Iberia to facilitate the sustainability of their operations and promote sustainable aviation. We work to keep being a reference in the production and distribution of SAF, which will be essential in the coming years to achieve the decarbonisation objectives of the aviation sector.” Iberia Maintenance’s Commitment to Sustainability: Integrating SAF into Engine Testing Iberia Maintenance is making significant strides in environmental sustainability as part of the International Airlines Group’s (IAG) broader goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
The company has integrated the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) into its engine testing procedures, underscoring its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting greener aviation practices. This initiative is part of a larger collaboration between Iberia, Iberia Express, and Cepsa, focusing on the development of sustainable fuels and other energy alternatives, including fleet electrification, to enhance the sustainability of aircraft operations and ground services at airports. Iberia Maintenance’s Sustainability Strategy Iberia Maintenance has structured its sustainability efforts around five key pillars: Cepsa’s Role in SAF Production Cepsa plays a crucial role in supporting Iberia Maintenance’s sustainability goals by producing SAF and other second-generation biofuels at its energy parks.
To further advance the availability of SAF in the aviation sector, Cepsa, in partnership with Bio-Oils, is constructing the largest second-generation biofuels plant in southern Europe. Scheduled to open in 2026 in Palos de la Frontera (Huelva), this €1.2 billion facility will have a flexible production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of SAF and renewable diesel.
As part of its Positive Motion strategy, Cepsa is positioning itself as a leader in SAF production in Spain and Portugal, aiming to achieve an annual production capacity of 800,000 tonnes by 2030—enough to power 2,000 flights around the world. SAF is recognized as a vital alternative to fossil fuels, capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90% over its entire lifecycle compared to conventional kerosene. Additionally, the production of SAF from waste materials promotes the circular economy, preventing waste from ending up in landfills.
The Role of SAF in Aviation One of the key benefits of SAF is its compatibility with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure, allowing for immediate integration without the need for modifications. Iberia Maintenance’s engine test bench, equipped with a 90,000lb capacity test cell, is certified to test four engine types: CFM56-5B/-7B, RB211, V2500, and Pratt & Whitney GTFTM. In 2023 alone, the facility conducted over 170 engine inductions, ensuring engines meet rigorous safety and performance standards before being reinstalled on aircraft.
The integration of SAF into Iberia Maintenance’s operations not only aligns with the company’s sustainability strategy but also reinforces its leadership in promoting environmentally responsible practices within the aviation industry..
