OMV, a Vienna-based international integrated oil, gas, and chemicals company and Ryanair signed a Memorandum of Understanding to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at Ryanair airports in Austria, Germany, and Romania.

While SAF production remains a global aviation issue, this MoU agreement provides Ryanair exclusive access to procure up to 160,000 tonnes (53 million gallons) of SAF from OMV for the next eight years (starting in 2023). It would result in a total CO2 reduction of over 400,000 tonnes, almost the equivalent of 25,000 Ryanair flights from Dublin to Vienna.

This landmark MoU demonstrates Ryanair's continuous progress toward its 2030 target of using 12.5% SAF and the airline's and OMV's larger shared goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. 

Ryanair has already made significant progress toward these commitments by collaborating with Trinity College Dublin to establish the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre and investing USD 22 billion in its 'Gamechanger' fleet, which offers 4% more seats while burning 16% less fuel.

OMV is putting in place a slew of initiatives to meet its ambitious strategic sustainability targets, and SAF is a critical player in this transformation. Based on the aviation sector's strategic outlook, OMV sees sustainable aviation fuel as an essential complement to its future jet fuel line. 

This portfolio expansion is consistent with OMV's ambition to be a net-zero company by 2050 (for Scope 1, 2, and 3). As part of the OMV Strategy 2030, clear medium- and long-term emission reduction targets have been established. The expected increase in SAF production to 700,000 tonnes by 2030 will be critical to meeting these targets.

Nina Marczell, OMV Vice President Aviation, Fuels Distributors & Public Sector: 

“We are committed to reducing our own carbon footprint as well as supporting our customers in reducing theirs. This Memorandum of Understanding is a great opportunity to accelerate both companies' sustainability efforts. Sustainable aviation fuel significantly reduces CO2 emissions, and we are delighted to collaborate with strong partners like Ryanair and to provide solutions for the sustainable development of the aviation industry.”

Ryanair’s Director of Sustainability, Thomas Fowler, said: 

“SAF is a cornerstone of our Pathway to Net Zero decarbonisation strategy, and we are committed to increasing our use of SAF over the coming years, a commitment that this agreement will play an instrumental role in. We are delighted with the investment and scaling of OMV’s innovative SAF production across Europe. OMV is a key partner for us in Austria, Germany, and Romania, and we look forward to growing this partnership as Europe’s largest airline.”

Source: OMV

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