Air France Boosts Eco-Friendly Flying for Paris 2024 Olympics

Air France will match customer donations for sustainable aviation fuel during the Paris 2024 Olympics, enhancing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and promote eco-friendly travel.

In an innovative move to promote eco-friendly travel, Air France, as an official partner of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has announced a groundbreaking initiative. The airline will match every customer contribution made towards the purchase of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) during the Paris 2024 Games. This offer is valid for flights booked for travel between 18 July and 9 September 2024 to mainland France and French Polynesia, underscoring the airline's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting sustainable travel.

The initiative is designed to double the impact of each contribution. For example, if a customer opts to contribute €50 towards the "Environment-sustainable aviation fuels" option, Air France will also contribute €50, effectively doubling the investment in SAF to €100. This innovative approach not only encourages passengers to participate in eco-friendly travel but also significantly increases the funds available for investing in SAF.

Since 2022, Air France has offered passengers the option to contribute to the "Environment-Sustainable Aviation Fuels" fund when purchasing tickets through the airfrance.com website or the Air France app. All collected funds are directly invested in purchasing SAF, a key component of the airline's strategy to decarbonize air transport.

The use of SAF is central to Air France's ambitious environmental goals. By 2030, the airline aims to incorporate at least 10% SAF in all its flights globally, a substantial increase from the current 1%. This target surpasses the mandates set by the European Union, demonstrating Air France's leadership in sustainability within the aviation sector. Notably, the Air France-KLM Group has been the world's leading user of SAF for two consecutive years.

To further reduce its environmental footprint, Air France has embarked on an ambitious decarbonization trajectory with the aim of cutting CO2 emissions per passenger/km by 30% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. The "Air France Act" programme outlines multiple strategies for achieving this goal, including fleet renewal with the latest generation aircraft like the Airbus A350 and A220, operational measures such as eco-piloting, and the promotion of intermodality with train-flight combinations.

Air France's commitment to sustainable travel extends beyond operational changes; it also involves significant investments in SAF production facilities in France, Europe, and globally. SAF, produced from non-fossil sources such as used oils or agricultural waste, offer a viable alternative to conventional jet fuel, reducing CO2 emissions by at least 75% across their lifecycle compared to fossil fuels.

As the aviation industry moves towards a greener future, Air France's initiatives exemplify how airlines can lead the way in sustainability, making a decisive impact on the decarbonization of air transport.